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Webster 1913 Edition


Pontifical

Pon-tif′ic-al

,
Adj.
[L.
pontificalis
: cf. F.
pontifical
. See
Pontiff
.]
1.
Of or pertaining to a pontiff, or high priest;
as,
pontifical
authority
; hence, belonging to the pope; papal.
2.
Of or pertaining to the building of bridges.
[R.]
Now had they brought the work by wondrous art
Pontifical
, a ridge of pendent rock
Over the vexed abyss.
Milton.

Pon-tif′ic-al

,
Noun.
[F.]
1.
A book containing the offices, or formulas, used by a pontiff.
South.
2.
pl.
The dress and ornaments of a pontiff.
“Dressed in full pontificals.”
Sir W. Scott.

Webster 1828 Edition


Pontifical

PONTIF'ICAL

,
Adj.
[L. pontificalis.] Belonging to a high priest; as pontifical authority; hence, belonging to the pope; popish.
1.
Splendid; magnificent.
2.
Bridge-building. [Not used.]

PONTIF'ICAL

,
Noun.
A book containing rites and ceremonies ecclesiastical.
1.
The dress and ornaments of a priest or bishop.

Definition 2024


pontifical

pontifical

English

Adjective

pontifical (comparative more pontifical, superlative most pontifical)

  1. Of or pertaining to a pontiff.
    1. Of or pertaining to a bishop; episcopal.
    2. Of or pertaining to a pope; papal.
  2. Pompous, dignified or dogmatic.
  3. Of or pertaining to the pontifices of Ancient Rome.
  4. Of or relating to the building of bridges.
    • Milton
      Now had they brought the work by wondrous art / Pontifical, a ridge of pendent rock / Over the vexed abyss.

Derived terms

  • pontifical cell

Translations

Noun

pontifical (plural pontificals)

  1. A book containing the offices, or formulas, used by a pontiff.
    • 1995, Richard A. Jackson, Ordines coronationis Franciae: texts and ordines for the coronation of Frankish and French kings and queens in the Middle Ages, page 30:
      Both ordines are related to an ordo in a pontifical in Reims, the Ordo of 1200 (Ordo XIX). The latter was to be consulted again and again, and its formulas were to have a marked effect upon the French ceremony; []
    • 2001, Leon F. Strieder, The Promise of Obedience: A Ritual History, page 32:
      William Durandus, bishop of Mende in the south of France, compiled a pontifical in three books. William never intended his work to be a universal pontifical, but its clarity of arrangement and quality of substance, along with []

Usage notes

The plural, pontificals, refers to "the vestments of a bishop".


French

Adjective

pontifical m (feminine singular pontificale, masculine plural pontificaux, feminine plural pontificales)

  1. pontifical

Spanish

Adjective

pontifical m, f (plural pontificales)

  1. pontifical