pontifical

²pontifical

adj

Definition of PONTIFICAL

1

a : of or relating to a pontiff or pontifex b : celebrated by a prelate of episcopal rank with distinctive ceremonies <pontifical mass>

2

: pompous

3

: pretentiously dogmatic

— pon·tif·i·cal·ly \-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Examples of PONTIFICAL

1. <a theater critic known for his pontifical pronouncements on what is or is not worth seeing>

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

Related Words: adamant, adamantine, hardheaded, headstrong, implacable, inflexible, mulish, obdurate, obstinate, pertinacious, perverse, pigheaded, rigid, self-willed, stubborn, unbending, unyielding

Near Antonyms: broadminded, open, open-minded, receptive

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