1. Relating to, or consisting of, pontiffs or priests. "The pontific college with their augurs and flamens."
Milton.
2. Of or pertaining to the pope; papal. Shenstone.
Pontifical
(Pon*tif"ic*al) a. [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. Pontifical
(Pon*tif"ic*al), n. [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.
Pontificality
(Pon*tif`i*cal"i*ty) n. The state and government of the pope; the papacy. [R.] Bacon.
Pontifically
(Pon*tif"ic*al*ly), adv. In a pontifical manner.
Pontificate
(Pon*tif"i*cate) n. [L. pontificatus: cf. F. pontificat. See Pontiff.]
1. The state or dignity of a high priest; specifically, the office of the pope. Addison.
2. The term of office of a pontiff. Milman.
Pontificate
(Pon*tif"i*cate) v. i. (R. C. Ch.) To perform the duty of a pontiff.
Pontifice
(Pon"ti*fice) n. [L. pons, pontis, a bridge + facere to make. Cf. Pontiff.] Bridgework; structure
or edifice of a bridge. [R.] Milton.
Pontificial
(Pon`ti*fi"cial) a. [L. pontificius.] Papal; pontifical. [Obs.] "Pontificial writers." Burton.
Pontifician
(Pon`ti*fi"cian) a. Of or pertaining to the pontiff or pope. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
Pontifician
(Pon`ti*fi"cian), n. One who adheres to the pope or papacy; a papist. [Obs.] Bp. Montagu.
Pontil
(Pon"til) n. Same as Pontee.
Pontile
(Pon"tile) a. [L. pontilis pertaining to a bridge.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the pons Varolii.
See Pons.
Pontine
(Pon"tine) a. [L. Pontinus or Pomptinus, an appellation given to a district in Latium, near Pometia.]
Of or pertaining to an extensive marshy district between Rome and Naples. [Written also Pomptine.]
Pontlevis
(Pont"le*vis) n. [F., properly, a drawbridge.] (Man.) The action of a horse in rearing repeatedly
and dangerously.
Ponton
(Pon*ton") n. [F.] See Pontoon.
Pontoon
(Pon*toon") n. [F. ponton (cf. It. pontone), from L. ponto, -onis, fr. pons, pontis, a bridge,
perhaps originally, a way, path: cf. Gr. path, Skr. path, pathi, panthan. Cf. Punt a boat.]
