adj. & n.
adj. 1 RC Ch. of or befitting a pontiff; papal. 2 pompously dogmatic; with an attitude of infallibility.
n. 1 an office-book of the Western Church containing rites to be performed by the Pope or bishops. 2 (in pl.) the vestments and insignia of a bishop, cardinal, or abbot. pontifical mass a high mass, usu. celebrated by a cardinal, bishop, etc. pontifically adv.
[ ME f. F pontifical or L pontificalis (as PONTIFEX) ]