pontificate

From Latin pontificatus, from pontifex (“high priest”), from pons (“bridge”) + facere (“make”).

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /pɒnˈtɪfɪkət/
• (US) IPA^(key): /pɑːnˈtɪfɪkət/

• Audio (US)

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• Audio (AU)

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pontificate (plural pontificates)

1. The status or term of office of a pontiff or pontifex.

From the past participle stem of mediaeval Latin pontificare (“pontificate”), from Latin pontifex (“high priest”), from pons (“bridge”) + facere (“make”).

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /pɒnˈtɪfɪkeɪt/
• (US) IPA^(key): /pɑːnˈtɪfɪkeɪt/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

pontificate (third-person singular simple present pontificates, present participle pontificating, simple past and past participle pontificated)

1. (intransitive) To preside as a bishop, especially at mass.
2. (intransitive) To act like a pontiff; to express one’s position or opinions dogmatically and pompously as if they were absolutely correct.
3. (intransitive) To speak in a patronizing, supercilious or pompous manner, especially at length.
   • 2007, New York Times

     During a policy discussion awhile back about New York issues, when Mr. Clinton began to pontificate, she told him that he did not exactly know what he was talking about and to hush up.

pontificate

1. second-person plural present indicative of pontificare
2. second-person plural imperative of pontificare
3. feminine plural of pontificato