pontifex
Americannoun
-
pontifices
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of pontifex
1570–80; < Latin: apparently literally, path-maker, equivalent to ponti- (stem of pōns ) bridge, probably originally, path ( see pons) + -fec- (combining form of facere to make) + -s nominative singular ending; the literal application is unclear
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The new pontifex maximus has much work ahead of him to wrangle the faithful into unity.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 10, 2025
If he sometimes sounds like a pontifex maximus, he generally talks neither down nor with false humility.
From Time Magazine Archive
Besides, in his talk he was lord and more—sultan, pontifex maximus.
From Oscar Wilde An Idler's Impression by Edgar Saltus
Their pontifex maximus became a president; their sacerdos a priest, whose duty it was to say mass on certain anniversaries.
From Pagan and Christian Rome by Rodolfo Amedeo Lanciani
He held the title of pontifex maximus and consequently was at the head of the official pagan worship.
From A History of Rome to 565 A. D. by Arthur Edward Romilly Boak
I am inclined to think it is only an inference from the want of substantival names in so many Roman deities; surely, it would be argued, the pontifices must have had some reason for this.
From The Religious Experience of the Roman People From the Earliest Times to the Age of Augustus by W. Warde Fowler
The master or superintendent of the pontifices was one of the most honorable offices in the commonwealth.
From Roman Antiquities, and Ancient Mythology For Classical Schools (2nd ed) by Charles K. Dillaway
Putting these three facts together we can divine in outline the history of the pontifices during these two centuries.
From The Religious Experience of the Roman People From the Earliest Times to the Age of Augustus by W. Warde Fowler
In order to get some idea of the work of the pontifices 274at this time, let us consider one or two of these difficulties and problems.
From The Religious Experience of the Roman People From the Earliest Times to the Age of Augustus by W. Warde Fowler
Having been elected one of the pontifices in the room of his uncle, C. Aurelius Cotta, he returned to Rome in 74, and soon became a tribunus militum.
From The Student's Companion to Latin Authors by George Middleton
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