/pon"teuh feks'/ , n. , pl. pontifices /pon tif"euh seez'/ . Rom. Relig.
a member of the Pontifical College, which was presided over by a chief priest (Pontifex Maximus) .
[ 1570-80; ponti- (s. of pons ) bridge, prob. orig., path (see PONS) + -fec- (comb. form of facere to make) + -s nom. sing. ending; the literal application is unclear ]