pontiff Hear it!

pontiff Definition

pon·tiff (pän′tif)

noun

  1. pontifex
    1. a bishop
    2. the pope
  3. a high priest

Etymology: Fr pontife < LL(Ec) pontifex (gen. pontificis), bishop < L, high priest, orig. ? bridge maker, path finder < pons (gen. pontis), bridge (see pons) + facere, to make, do

pontiff Synonyms

pontiff

n.

prelate, cardinal, His Holiness; see pope.

pontiff Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • elect: Clement III. was elected pontiff in the year 1188.
  • say: The Vatican said the 84-year-old pontiff was recovering well... .
  • become: This then developed during the medieval period to the bhattaraka becoming an important pontiff, at times like a king.
  • find: We must find a suitable pontiff of the left to excommunicate lefties who are on the turn.

Adjective modifier

  • late: The late pontiff made Lustiger Archbishop of Orleans in 1979.
  • new: Boniface hastened to send a delegation to the new pontiff, to pay his respects and to assure him of his fidelity.
  • sovereign: The sovereign pontiff never claimed any power of absolving in grievous matters apart from these.
  • suitable: We must find a suitable pontiff of the left to excommunicate lefties who are on the turn.
  • 84-year-old: The Vatican said the 84-year-old pontiff was recovering well... .
  • old: He is one of the oldest pontiffs to ever ascend St. Peter's throne.