pontificate
|pon-ti-fi-cate|
🇺🇸
/pɑnˈtɪfɪkeɪt/
🇬🇧
/pɒnˈtɪfɪkeɪt/
speak or act like a pontiff; speak pompously
Etymology
'pontificate' originates from Latin, specifically from the Late Latin verb 'pontificāre' (and past participle 'pontificātus'), where the root is 'pontifex' meaning 'bridge-maker' (from 'pons' meaning 'bridge' + 'fex' from 'facere' meaning 'to make').
'pontificate' changed from Late Latin 'pontificāre' into Old French/Medieval Latin forms and then entered Middle English (e.g. Middle English 'pontificaten'), eventually becoming the modern English word 'pontificate'.
Initially it meant 'to act as a pontiff or to perform pontifical duties', but over time it acquired the additional figurative meaning 'to speak in a pompous or dogmatic way'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the office, authority, or term of office of a pontiff (such as a pope); papacy.
His pontificate lasted ten years and was marked by reform efforts.
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Noun 2
a pompous or dogmatic statement or manner of expression.
Much of his commentary was little more than a pontificate rather than a reasoned analysis.
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Verb 1
to speak or express opinions in a pompous, dogmatic, or authoritative manner, often without listening to others.
He tends to pontificate about politics even when he knows little about the subject.
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Last updated: 2025/09/02 06:37