pontificate
[noun pon-tif-i-kit, -keyt; verb pon-tif-i-keyt]
noun
the office or term of office of a pontiff.
verb (used without object), pon·tif·i·cat·ed, pon·tif·i·cat·ing.
to perform the office or duties of a pontiff.
to speak in a pompous or dogmatic manner: Did he pontificate about the responsibilities of a good citizen?
to serve as a bishop, especially in a Pontifical Mass.
Origin of pontificate
1575–85; (noun) < Latin pontificātus; see pontifical, -ate3; (v.) < Medieval Latin pontificātus past participle of pontificāre to be an ecclesiastic; see -ate1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for pontificate
admonish, moralize, minister, address, evangelize, lecture, teach, harangue, preach, dogmatize, pulpiteerExamples from the Web for pontificate
Contemporary Examples of pontificate
Benedict may well want to cut short the time available for the cardinals to politick, posture, and pontificate, as it were.
With Pope Benedict XVI’s Retirement, Conclave Rules Prove UnclearChristopher Dickey
February 12, 2013
Historical Examples of pontificate
But it was not so with that pontificate on which the Church was built.
The Formation of Christendom, Volume VIThomas W. (Thomas William) Allies
He died in 604, after a pontificate of thirteen years and six months.
Italy, the Magic LandLilian Whiting
The Cardinal was an early riser, and was to pontificate at high mass in the Lateran.
StradellaF(rancis) Marion Crawford
Given at Lyons, on the 3rd of July, in the fifth year of our Pontificate.
Diaries of Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore, Volume ISir Moses Montefiore
Leo was disturbed throughout his pontificate by heresy and schism.
pontificate
verb (pɒnˈtɪfɪˌkeɪt) (intr)
noun (pɒnˈtɪfɪkɪt)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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