Lexic.us

Definition of Pontifical

1. Adjective. Proceeding from or ordered by or subject to a pope or the papacy regarded as the successor of the Apostles. "Papal dispensation"

2. Noun. The vestments and other insignia of a pontiff (especially a bishop).

3. Adjective. Denoting or governed by or relating to a bishop or bishops.

4. Adjective. Puffed up with vanity. "Pseudo-scientific gobbledygook and pontifical hooey"

Definition of Pontifical

1. a. Of or pertaining to a pontiff, or high priest; as, pontifical authority; hence, belonging to the pope; papal.

2. n. A book containing the offices, or formulas, used by a pontiff.

Definition of Pontifical

1. Adjective. of or pertaining to a pontiff ¹

2. Adjective. pompous, dignified or dogmatic ¹

3. Adjective. of or pertaining to the pontifices of Ancient Rome ¹

4. Noun. The office of a pontiff ¹

5. Noun. (in the plural) The vestments of a bishop ¹

6. Noun. a pontiff ¹

7. Noun. a pontifical mass ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Pontifical

1. [n -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Pontifical

pontees pontes pontic ponticular ponticulin ponticulus ponticulus hepatis ponticulus nasi ponticulus promontorii pontie

ponties pontifex pontiff pontiffs pontific pontifical (current term) pontificalities pontificality pontifically pontificals

pontificate pontificated pontificates pontificating pontification pontifications pontificator pontificators pontifice pontifices

Literary usage of Pontifical

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Dictionary of Christian Antiquities: Comprising the History, Institutions by William Smith, Samuel Cheetham (1880)
"D'Achery indeed, in a note on the latter passage, states that these titles were commonly given to bishops of distinguished sees. [JBM] pontifical (Liber ..."

2. Merchants' Magazine and Commercial Review by William B. Dana (1858)
"TRADE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE pontifical STATES. The President of the United States has announced a change in the commercial relations of the ..."

3. The Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the by Charles George Herbermann (1913)
"The secretary is a prelate whose duty it is to write the pontifical Briefs addressed to emperors, kings, civil princes, or other exalted personages. ..."

4. The Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the by Charles George Herbermann (1913)
"These arc divided into colleges, the first of which is the College of the Patriarchs, Archbishops, and Bishops, Assistants to the pontifical Throne; ..."

5. The Antiquary by Edward Walford, John Charles Cox, George Latimer Apperson (1882)
"Nothing can be imagined more magnificent than the spectacle presented by the assembled pontifical Court for a " Public" Consistory, or solemn distribution ..."

6. History of France: From the Earliest Period to the Present Time by Jules Michelet, G. H. Smith (1851)
"This opinion the pontifical commissioners lacked the courage to enforce. They replied, on the evening of the same Sunday, that they felt great compassion ..."

Other Resources: