pontificate

[ noun pon-tif-i-kit, -keyt; verb pon-tif-i-keyt ]
/ noun pɒnˈtɪf ɪ kɪt, -ˌkeɪt; verb pɒnˈtɪf ɪˌkeɪt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR pontificate ON THESAURUS.COM

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

First recorded in 1400–50. The noun is from Latin pontificātus, derivative of pontific- (stem of pontifex ) + -ātus noun suffix denoting office or function; see origin at pontifex, -ate3. The verb is from Medieval Latin pontificātus, past participle of pontificāre “to be an ecclesiastic”; see -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM pontificate

pon·tif·i·ca·tion, nounpon·tif·i·ca·tor, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to pontificate

admonish, moralize, minister, address, evangelize, lecture, teach, harangue, preach, dogmatize, pulpiteer

Example sentences from the Web for pontificate

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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012