First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1pontificate
noun pon·tif·i·cate \pän-ˈti-fi-kət, -ˌkāt\
: the position of a pope
: the period of time during which a particular person is pope
Full Definition of PONTIFICATE
: the state, office, or term of office of a pontiff
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Origin of PONTIFICATE
Middle English, from Latin pontificatus, from pontific-, pontifex
Other Christian Religious Terms
Rhymes with PONTIFICATE
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2pontificate
verb pon·tif·i·cate \pän-ˈti-fə-ˌkāt\
: to speak or express your opinion about something in a way that shows that you think you are always right
pon·tif·i·cat·edpon·tif·i·cat·ing
Full Definition of PONTIFICATE
intransitive verb
1
a : to officiate as a pontiff b : to celebrate pontifical mass
2
: to speak or express opinions in a pompous or dogmatic way
— pon·tif·i·ca·tion \(ˌ)pän-ˌti-fə-ˈkā-shən\ noun
— pon·tif·i·ca·tor \-ˌkā-tər\ noun
See pontificate defined for English-language learners
Origin of PONTIFICATE
Medieval Latin pontificatus, past participle of pontificare, from Latin pontific-, pontifex
First Known Use: 1818
Other Christian Religious Terms
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