pontifex

[ pon-tuh-feks ]

noun

, Roman Religion.

, plural pon·tif·i·ces [pon-, tif, -, uh, -seez].

1. a member of the Pontifical College, which was presided over by a chief priest Pontifex Maximus.

pontifex

/ ˈpɒntɪˌfɛks /

noun

1. (in ancient Rome) any of the senior members of the Pontifical College, presided over by the Pontifex Maximus

Word History and Origins

Origin of pontifex¹

1570–80; < Latin: apparently literally, path-maker, equivalent to ponti- (stem of pōns ) bridge, probably originally, path ( pons ) + -fec- (combining form of facere to make) + -s nominative singular ending; the literal application is unclear

Word History and Origins

Origin of pontifex¹

C16: from Latin, perhaps from Etruscan but influenced by folk etymology as if meaning literally: bridge-maker, from pons bridge + -fex from facere to make

Example Sentences

"Looking forward to the visit of @pontifex," Orban said on Twitter on Thursday evening.

From Reuters

The world's richest person tweeted a picture where he can be seen standing next to the pope, captioning it: "Honored to meet @pontifex yesterday."

From Reuters

In an accompanying @pontifex Twitter post, Francis said he was "beginning a new journey" on the service in order "to walk with you along the path of mercy and the tenderness of God."

From The Verge

He was the first pope to take his message regularly to Twitter, and the @pontifex account, first opened by Pope Benedict, now has 8.4 million followers.

From The Guardian

In Rome, the pontifex maximus — an office held by Caesar — was the head of Roman state religion.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• pope