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🗣️ To lecture pompously 👑 Pope's office ⛪ To act as Pope
to pontificate

to pontificate

9.4
To perform the official duties of a pope or bishop
  • verb
  • /pɒnˈtɪfɪkeɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : pontificar
  • He might pontificate at one (indeed maybe the one coming next month, as he will have celebrated Mass earlier in the day).

Examples

  • "Isn't it true, Mrs. Scarpetta," Coldwell pontificated in court this cool autumn day, "that people under the influence of cocaine can become very violent and even demonstrate superhuman strength?"

    Fiction book (1994)

  • During the conference, the speaker began to pontificate about the role of faith in politics.

  • When he had the Mass, I would leave for the time he would 'pontificate' because otherwise I would be so upset and angry that I would not wish to receive Holy Communion.

    Blog text (30)

  • The bishop would pontificate on important moral issues during his Sunday sermons.

  • When discussing the challenges of modern society, the priest often pontificates to his congregation with passion.

Surface Forms

pontificate infinitive
pontificated past
pontificated past participle
pontificating present participle
pontificates third person singular

Etymology

Pontificate comes from the Latin pontifex, which means 'bridge-maker' from pons 'bridge' and facere 'to make'. A pontificate as a verb originally meant to act as a priest or pope who is a 'bridge' between people and God, so to pontificate can mean to carry out the duties of a pope or bishop.