pontiff

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See also: Pontiff

English[edit]

English Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from Middle French pontife, from Latin pontifex. Doublet of pontifex.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈpɒntɪf/
  • (file)

Noun[edit]

pontiff (plural pontiffs)

  1. (historical, Ancient Rome) A member of the most illustrious of the colleges of priests of the Roman religion, the College of Pontiffs; a pontifex. [from 17th c.]
  2. A bishop of the early Church; now specifically, the Pope. [from 16th c.]
    • 2007, Edwin Mullins, The Popes of Avignon, Blue Bridge, published 2008, page 46:
      In several respects John turned out to be an unexpected figure as supreme pontiff.
  3. (figuratively) Any chief figure or leader of a religion. [from 16th c.]

Related terms[edit]

Translations[edit]

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References[edit]