I. pän.ˈtifə̇kə̇t, -fəˌkāt, usu -d.+V noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin pontificatus, from pontific-, pontifex pontiff + -atus -ate — more at pontiff
: the state, office, or term of office of a pontiff
II. -əˌkāt, usu -ād.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Medieval Latin pontificatus, past participle of pontificare to act as pontiff, from Latin pontific-, pontifex
intransitive verb
1. : to officiate as a pontiff especially at mass
2. : to deliver oracular utterances or dogmatic opinions
a columnist who pontificates
too often pontificated on matters outside their field
3. : to comport oneself with excessive dignity or pomposity : assume exaggerated authority or oracularity
transitive verb
: to state in a dogmatic or pompous manner
editors … pontificate that it is only a memory — A.G.Mezerik