PONTIFICATE

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Latin pontificatus, from pontific-, pontifex Date: 15th century the state, office, or term of office of a pontiff, II. intransitive verb (-cated; -cating) Etymology: Medieval Latin pontificatus, past participle of pontificare, from Latin pontific-, pontifex Date: 1818 1. to officiate as a pontiff, to celebrate pontifical mass, to speak or express opinions in a pompous or dogmatic way, pontification noun pontificator noun