adj. 1. Relating to, characteristic of, or suitable for a pontiff. 2. Pompously dogmatic or self-important; pretentious. n. 1. pontificals The vestments and insignia of a bishop. 2. A book of forms for ceremonies performed by a bishop. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin pontificālis, of a pontifex, from pontifex, pontific-, pontifex; see PONTIFEX.] pon·tifi·cal·ly adv. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.