Associations to the word «Pontificate»

Wiktionary

PONTIFICATE, noun. The state or term of office of a pontiff or pontifex.
PONTIFICATE, verb. (intransitive) To preside as a bishop, especially at mass.
PONTIFICATE, verb. (intransitive) To act like a pontiff; to express one’s position or opinions dogmatically and pompously as if they were absolutely correct.
PONTIFICATE, verb. (intransitive) To speak in a patronizing, supercilious or pompous manner, especially at length.

Dictionary definition

PONTIFICATE, noun. The government of the Roman Catholic Church.
PONTIFICATE, verb. Administer a pontifical office.
PONTIFICATE, verb. Talk in a dogmatic and pompous manner; "The new professor always pontificates".

Wise words

Words are always getting conventionalized to some secondary meaning. It is one of the works of poetry to take the truants in custody and bring them back to their right senses.
William Butler Yeats