I. pän-ˈti-fi-kəl noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin pontificale, from neuter of pontificalis
Date: 14th century
1. : episcopal attire ; specifically : the insignia of the episcopal order worn by a prelate when celebrating a pontifical mass — usually used in plural
2. : a book containing the forms for sacraments and rites performed by a bishop
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin pontificalis, from pontific-, pontifex
Date: 15th century
1.
a. : of or relating to a pontiff or pontifex
b. : celebrated by a prelate of episcopal rank with distinctive ceremonies
pontifical mass
2. : pompous
3. : pretentiously dogmatic
• pon·tif·i·cal·ly -k(ə-)lē adverb