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Also available:
World English Dictionary
Dictionnaire Français
pontificate
pon·tif·i·cate
[
pon tíffi kàyt
]
intransitive verb
(
past and past participle
pon·tif·i·cat·ed
,
present participle
pon·tif·i·cat·ing
,
3rd person present singular
pon·tif·i·cates
)
Definition:
1.
speak pompously:
to speak about something in a knowing and self-important way, especially when not qualified to do so
2.
serve as bishop:
to officiate as a bishop, especially in celebrating Mass
noun
(
plural
pon·tif·i·cates
)
Definition:
term of office:
the office or term of office of a pope or bishop
[
Early 19th century. < medieval Latin
pontificat-
, past participle of
pontificare
< Latin
pontifex
(see
pontifex
)
]
pon·tif·i·ca·tion
[
pon tìffi káysh'n
]
noun
pon·tif·i·ca·tor
noun
Encarta® World English Dictionary [North American Edition] © & (P)2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
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pon·tif·i·ca·tion [ pon tìffi káysh'n ] nounpon·tif·i·ca·tor noun
