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pontificate
[ noun pon-tif-i-kit, -keyt; verb pon-tif-i-keyt ]
/ noun pɒnˈtɪf ɪ kɪt, -ˌkeɪt; verb pɒnˈtɪf ɪˌkeɪt /
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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.
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Origin of pontificate
OTHER WORDS FROM pontificate
pon·tif·i·ca·tion [pon-tif-i-key-shuhn], /pɒnˌtɪf ɪˈkeɪ ʃən/, nounpon·tif·i·ca·tor, nounWords nearby pontificate
pontific, pontifical, Pontifical College, Pontifical Mass, pontificals, pontificate, pontification, pontifices, pontil, pontine, Pontine Marshes
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use pontificate in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for pontificate
pontificate
verb (pɒnˈtɪfɪˌkeɪt) (intr)
to speak or behave in a pompous or dogmatic mannerAlso (less commonly): pontify (ˈpɒntɪˌfaɪ)
to serve or officiate as a pontiff, esp in celebrating a Pontifical Mass
noun (pɒnˈtɪfɪkɪt)
the office or term of office of a pontiff, now usually the pope
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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