'Pontiff' definitions:
Definition of 'pontiff'
(from WordNet)
noun
The head of the Roman Catholic Church [syn: pope, Catholic Pope, Roman Catholic Pope, pontiff, Holy Father, Vicar of Christ, Bishop of Rome]
Definition of 'Pontiff'
From: GCIDE
- Pontiff \Pon"tiff\, n. [F. pontife, L. pontifex, -ficis; pons, pontis, a bridge (perhaps originally, a way, path) + facere to make. Cf. Pontoon.] A high priest. Especially: (a) One of the sacred college, in ancient Rome, which had the supreme jurisdiction over all matters of religion, at the head of which was the Pontifex Maximus. --Dr. W. Smith. (b) (Jewish Antiq.) The chief priest. (c) (R. C. Ch.) The pope. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'pontiff'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- abuna,
- antipope,
- archbishop,
- archdeacon,
- archpriest,
- bishop,
- bishop coadjutor,
- canon,
- cardinal,
- cardinal bishop,
- cardinal deacon,
- cardinal priest,
- chaplain,
- coadjutor,
- curate,
- dean,
- diocesan,
- ecclesiarch,
- exarch,
- Grand Penitentiary,
- hierarch,
- high priest,
- Holy Father,
- metropolitan,
- papa,
- patriarch,
- penitentiary,
- pope,
- prebendary,
- prelate,
- primate,
- rector,
- rural dean,
- subdean,
- suffragan,
- vicar