I. (ˈ)pän.|tifə̇kəl, -fēk- adjective
Etymology: Latin pontificalis, from pontific-, pontifex pontifex + -alis -al
1.
a. : of or relating to a pontiff, bishop, or prelate : episcopal
pontifical authority
b. : celebrated by a bishop
pontifical mass
2. : of or relating to a pontifex or high priest
3. : excessively often pretentiously dignified or authoritative : pompous , dogmatic
a pontifical professor
pontifical statements
pseudo-scientific gobbledygook and pontifical hooey — Newsweek
4. obsolete : of or relating to a bridge or bridge building
• pon·tif·i·cal·ly -k(ə)lē, -li adverb
II. noun
( -s )
1.
[Medieval Latin pontificalia ]
: episcopal attire ; specifically : the insignia of the episcopal order worn by a prelate when celebrating pontifically and including buskins, sandals, gloves, dalmatic, tunicle, ring, pectoral cross, and miter — usually used in plural
2.
[Medieval Latin pontificale, from neuter of Latin pontificalis of a pontiff]
: a book containing the forms of sacraments and rites performed by a bishop