Library / English Dictionary

PONTIFICATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

The government of the Roman Catholic Church

Synonyms:

papacy; pontificate

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Hypernyms ("pontificate" is a kind of...):

authorities; government; regime (the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit)

Meronyms (members of "pontificate"):

Bishop of Rome; Catholic Pope; Holy Father; pontiff; pope; Roman Catholic Pope; Vicar of Christ (the head of the Roman Catholic Church)

Derivation:

pontificate (administer a pontifical office)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Talk in a dogmatic and pompous manner

Example:

The new professor always pontificates

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "pontificate" is one way to...):

speak; talk (exchange thoughts; talk with)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Sense 2

Meaning:

Administer a pontifical office

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "pontificate" is one way to...):

administer; administrate (work in an administrative capacity; supervise or be in charge of)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

pontifex (a member of the highest council of priests in ancient Rome)

pontificate (the government of the Roman Catholic Church)

Credits