pontificate
pronunciation
How to pronounce pontificate in British English:
UK [pɒnˈtɪfɪkeɪt]
How to pronounce pontificate in American English:
US [pɑnˈtɪfɪkeɪt]
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- Noun:
- the government of the Roman Catholic Church
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- Verb:
- administer a pontifical office
- talk in a dogmatic and pompous manner
Word Origin
- pontificate (v.)
- 1818, "to act as a pontiff," from Medieval Latin pontificatus, past participle of pontificare "to be a pontifex," from Latin pontifex (see pontiff). Meaning "to assume pompous and dignified airs, issue dogmatic decrees" is from 1825. Meaning "to say (something) in a pontifical way" is from 1922. Related: Pontificated; pontificating.
- pontificate (n.)
- 1580s, from Latin pontificatus "office of a pontiff," from pontifex (see pontifex).
Example
- 1. So if you 're confronted with an audience member who wants to argue or pontificate :
- 2. Pitkowsky and trauner are more likely to read 10-ks over the weekend than pontificate about global economic themes .
- 3. Given at lyons on 17 july in the third year of our pontificate .
- 4. Did he pontificate about the responsibilities of a good citizen ?
- 5. The sadly brief pontificate of pope john paul i.