pontifical
pontifical Lexical Profile
pontifical Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Relating to or characteristic of the Pope, a bishop, or the papacy.
"The university received a pontifical charter establishing it as an official Catholic institution."
Affecting an attitude of infallible authority; pompously dogmatic or self-important.
"His pontifical tone during the faculty meeting alienated several of his younger colleagues."
• noun
A liturgical book containing the prayers, rites, and ceremonies performed specifically by a bishop or the Pope.
"The medieval manuscript collection includes an illuminated Roman pontifical from the fourteenth century."
The ceremonial vestments and liturgical insignia worn by a bishop or the Pope when officiating at a solemn service (usually used in the plural).
"The archbishop appeared in full pontificals for the cathedral's Easter liturgy."
• Rhymes for pontifical
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French or directly from Latin 'pontificalis' (pertaining to a high priest), from 'pontifex' (high priest, literally 'bridge-builder', combining 'pons' meaning bridge and '-fex' meaning maker).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.