First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1pontifical
noun pon·tif·i·cal \pän-ˈti-fi-kəl\
Definition of PONTIFICAL
1
: episcopal attire; specifically : the insignia of the episcopal order worn by a prelate when celebrating a pontifical mass —usually used in plural
2
: a book containing the forms for sacraments and rites performed by a bishop
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Origin of PONTIFICAL
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin pontificale, from neuter of pontificalis
2pontifical
adjective
: of, relating to, or coming from a pope
Full Definition of PONTIFICAL
1
2
: pompous
3
: pretentiously dogmatic
— pon·tif·i·cal·ly \-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
See pontifical defined for English-language learners
Origin of PONTIFICAL
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin pontificalis, from pontific-, pontifex
First Known Use: 15th century
Related to PONTIFICAL
- Synonyms
- doctrinaire, opinionated, opinionative, opinioned, dogmatic, self-opinionated
- Antonyms
- latitudinarian, undoctrinaire, undogmatic
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