- pontificate (v.)
- 1818, "to act as a pontiff," from Medieval Latin pontificatus, past participle of pontificare "to be a pontifex," from Latin pontifex (see pontiff). Meaning "to assume pompous and dignified airs, issue dogmatic decrees" is from 1825. Meaning "to say (something) in a pontifical way" is from 1922. Related: Pontificated; pontificating.
- pontification (n.)
- 1520s, "office of a bishop," noun of action from past participle stem of Medieval Latin pontificare (see pontificate (v.)). Meaning "something pontificated" is from 1925.