verb , noun
■ verb
/ pɒnˈtɪfɪkeɪt; NAmE pɑːn-/ [ v ] pontificate (about / on sth) ( disapproving ) to give your opinions about sth in a way that shows that you think you are right
■ noun
/ pɒnˈtɪfɪkət; NAmE pɑːn-/ the official position or period in office of a pope
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (as a noun): from Latin pontificatus , from pontifex , from pons , pont- bridge + -fex from facere make. The verb dates from the early 19th cent.