pontificate

American  

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

noun

1. the office or term of office of a pontiff.

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verb (used without object)

pontificated, pontificating

1. to perform the office or duties of a pontiff.

2. to speak in a pompous or dogmatic manner.

   Did he pontificate about the responsibilities of a good citizen?

3. to serve as a bishop, especially in a Pontifical Mass.

pontificate British  

verb

1. Also (less commonly): pontify.  to speak or behave in a pompous or dogmatic manner

2. to serve or officiate as a pontiff, esp in celebrating a Pontifical Mass

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noun

1. the office or term of office of a pontiff, now usually the pope

Other Word Forms

• pontification noun
• pontificator noun

Etymology

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; pontifex, -ate ³. The verb is from Medieval Latin pontificātus, past participle of pontificāre “to be an ecclesiastic”; -ate ¹