pontificate

WOTD - 12 September 2006    

English

Etymology 1

From [[w:Template:lang:la language|Template:lang:la]][[Category:Template:lang:la derivations]] pontificatus, from pontifex (“‘bridge builder’”), from pons (“‘bridge’”) + facere (“‘make’”).

Pronunciation

• (RP) IPA: /pɒnˈtɪfɪkət/
• (US) IPA: /pɑːnˈtɪfɪkət/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

Noun

Singular pontificate

Plural {{{1}}}

pontificate ({{{1}}})

1. The state or term of office of a pontiff or pontifex.

Translations

state of a pontifex

Dutch: pontificaat nl(nl) n. French: pontificat m.

Japanese: 司教の職（しきょうのしょく, shikyou no shoku）

Etymology 2

From the past participle stem of mediaeval [[w:Template:lang:la language|Template:lang:la]][[Category:Template:lang:la derivations]] pontificare (“‘pontificate’”), from [[w:Template:lang:la language|Template:lang:la]][[Category:Template:lang:la derivations]] pontifex (“‘bridge builder’”), from pons (“‘bridge’”) + facere (“‘make’”).

Pronunciation

• (RP) IPA: /pɒnˈtɪfɪkeɪt/
• (US) IPA: /pɑːnˈtɪfɪkeɪt/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

Verb

Infinitive to pontificate

Third person singular pontificat

Simple past -

Past participle -

Present participle ed

to pontificate (third-person singular simple present pontificat, present participle ed, simple past and past participle -)

1. (intransitive) To preside as a bishop, especially at mass.
2. (intransitive) To act like a pontiff; to express one’s position or opinions dogmatically and pompously as if it is absolutely correct.
3. (intransitive) To speak in a patronizing, supercilious or pompous manner, especially at length.
   • 2007, New York Times

     During a policy discussion awhile back about New York issues, when Mr. Clinton began to pontificate, she told him that he did not exactly know what he was talking about and to hush up.

Translations

preside as a bishop

French: pontifier

act like a pontiff

French: pontifier

speak in a patronizing, supercilious or pompous manner

French: pontifier

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Italian

Verb

pontificate

1. Second-person plural present tense of pontificare.
2. Second-person plural imperative of pontificare.
3. Feminine plural of pontificato.

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