pontificate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the government of the Roman Catholic Church
    papacy.
  2. verb administer a pontifical office
  3. verb talk in a dogmatic and pompous manner
    • The new professor always pontificates

WordNet

Pon*tif"i*cate noun
Etymology
L. pontificatus: cf. F. pontificat. See Pontiff.
Definitions
  1. The state or dignity of a high priest; specifically, the office of the pope. Addison.
  2. The term of office of a pontiff. Milman.
Pon*tif"i*cate intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. (R. C. Ch.) To perform the duty of a pontiff.

Webster 1913