English terms dictionary. 2015.
Pontificate — Pon*tif i*cate, n. [L. pontificatus: cf. F. pontificat. See {Pontiff}.] 1. The state or dignity of a high priest; specifically, the office of the pope. Addison. [1913 Webster] 2. The term of office of a pontiff. Milman. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Pontificate — Pon*tif i*cate, v. i. (R. C. Ch.) To perform the duty of a pontiff. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
pontificate — (v.) 1818, to act as a pontiff, from pp. stem of M.L. pontificare, from L. pontifex (see PONTIFF (Cf. pontiff)). Meaning to assume pompous and dignified airs, issue dogmatic decrees is from 1825. Related: Pontificated; pontificating … Etymology dictionary
pontificate — [v] sermonize address, admonish, dogmatize, evangelize, get on a soapbox*, give sermon, harangue, lecture, minister, moralize, preach, pulpiteer, teach; concepts 51,75,285,367 … New thesaurus
pontificate — [pän tif′i kit, pän tif′ikāt΄; ] for v. [, pän tif′ikāt΄] n. [L pontificatus < pontifex: see PONTIFF] the office, or term of office, of a pontiff vi. pontificated, pontificating [< ML pontificatus, pp. of pontificare] 1. to officiate as a… … English World dictionary
pontificate — pontificates, pontificating, pontificated (The verb is pronounced [[t]pɒntɪ̱fɪkeɪt[/t]]. The noun is pronounced [[t]pɒntɪ̱fɪkət[/t]].) 1) VERB If someone pontificates about something, they state their opinions as if they are the only correct ones … English dictionary
pontificate — v. (D; intr.) to pontificate on * * * [pɒn tɪfɪkeɪt] (D; intr.) to pontificate on … Combinatory dictionary
pontificate — pon|tif|i|cate1 [pɔnˈtıfıkeıt US pa:n ] v to give your opinion about something in a way that shows you think you are always right pontificate about/on ▪ Politicians are always pontificating about education. pontificate 2 pon|tif|i|cate2… … Dictionary of contemporary English
pontificate — I UK [pɒnˈtɪfɪkeɪt] / US [pɑnˈtɪfɪˌkeɪt] verb [intransitive] Word forms pontificate : present tense I/you/we/they pontificate he/she/it pontificates present participle pontificating past tense pontificated past participle pontificated formal to… … English dictionary
pontificate — n. /pon tif i kit, kayt /; v. /pon tif i kayt /, n., v., pontificated, pontificating. n. 1. the office or term of office of a pontiff. v.i. 2. to perform the office or duties of a pontiff. 3. to speak in a pompous or dogmatic manner: Did he… … Universalium
