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Definition of pontificate - 2 dictionary results

pon⋅tif⋅i⋅cate

  [n. pon-tif-i-kit, -keyt; v. pon-tif-i-keyt] noun, verb, -cat⋅ed, -cat⋅ing.
Use pontificate in a Sentence
–noun
1. the office or term of office of a pontiff.
–verb (used without object)
2. to perform the office or duties of a pontiff.
3. to speak in a pompous or dogmatic manner: Did he pontificate about the responsibilities of a good citizen?
4. to serve as a bishop, esp. in a Pontifical Mass.
Origin:
1575–85; (n.) < L pontificātus; see pontifical, -ate 3 ; (v.) < ML pontificātus ptp. of pontificāre to be an ecclesiastic; see -ate 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To pontificate
pon·tif·i·cate   (pŏn-tĭf'ĭ-kĭt, -kāt')   
n.  The office or term of office of a pontiff.
intr.v.   (-kāt') pon·tif·i·cat·ed, pon·tif·i·cat·ing, pon·tif·i·cates

  1. To express opinions or judgments in a dogmatic way.

  2. To administer the office of a pontiff.


[Latin pontificātus, from pontifex, pontific-, pontifex; see pontifex. V., from Medieval Latin pontificāre, pontificāt-, to act as an ecclesiastic, from Latin pontifex.]
pon·tif'i·ca'tion n., pon·tif'i·ca'tor n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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