adj.
Function: 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 -)l ē \ adverb