pontificate
[noun pon-tif-i-kit, -keyt; verb pon-tif-i-keyt]
- the office or term of office of a pontiff.
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- 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
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. 2018
Examples from the Web for pontificating
Contemporary Examples
John McCain completely wasted his shot at her, just pontificating away, looking aggreived, not accomplishing anything.
We live in a 24/7 news cycle that gives every pontificating pundit and boastful blogger the chance to spin thousands of others.
How the Drudge Report, With Its Condoleezza Rice ‘Scoop,’ Again Rules the MediaLauren Ashburn
July 15, 2012
This should give any Western pundit pause when pontificating on popular sentiment in Saudi Arabia.
The Delaware primary result will be the topic of much handwringing, pontificating and consternation in coming days.
Historical Examples
A jewelled ring was always worn by a bishop, and was an essential part of his costume when pontificating.
JewelleryH. Clifford Smith,
It is probable that each bishop had a large jewelled ring to use when pontificating.
Finger-Ring LoreWilliam Jones
pontificate
- 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
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- the office or term of office of a pontiff, now usually the pope
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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
Word Origin and History for pontificating
pontificate
v.
1818, "to act as a pontiff," from Medieval Latin pontificatus, past participle of pontificare "to be a pontifex," from Latin pontifex (see pontiff). Meaning "to assume pompous and dignified airs, issue dogmatic decrees" is from 1825. Meaning "to say (something) in a pontifical way" is from 1922. Related: Pontificated; pontificating.
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pontificate
n.
1580s, from Latin pontificatus "office of a pontiff," from pontifex (see pontifex).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper