Pontificate


[noun pon-tif-i-kit, -keyt; verb pon-tif-i-keyt] /noun pɒnˈtɪf ɪ kɪt, -ˌkeɪt; verb pɒnˈtɪf ɪˌkeɪt/

noun
1.
the office or term of office of a pontiff.
verb (used without object), pontificated, pontificating.
2.
to perform the office or duties of a pontiff.
3.
to speak in a pompous or dogmatic manner:
Did he pontificate about the responsibilities of a good citizen?
4.
to serve as a bishop, especially in a Pontifical Mass.
verb (intransitive) (pɒnˈtɪfɪˌkeɪt)
1.
to speak or behave in a pompous or dogmatic manner Also (less commonly) pontify (ˈpɒntɪˌfaɪ)
2.
to serve or officiate as a pontiff, esp in celebrating a Pontifical Mass
noun (pɒnˈtɪfɪkɪt)
3.
the office or term of office of a pontiff, now usually the pope
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.
n.

1580s, from Latin pontificatus “office of a pontiff,” from pontifex (see pontifex).

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