pontifical
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1pon·tif·i·cal
noun \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
Origin of PONTIFICAL
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin pontificale, from neuter of pontificalis
First Known Use: 14th century
2pontifical
adjectiveDefinition of PONTIFICAL
1
2
: pompous
3
: pretentiously dogmatic
— pon·tif·i·cal·ly \-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
See Examples of PONTIFICAL
- <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
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