'Pontifical' definitions:
Definition of 'pontifical'
(from WordNet)
adjective
Proceeding from or ordered by or subject to a pope or the papacy regarded as the successor of the Apostles; "papal dispensation" [syn: papal, apostolic, apostolical, pontifical]
adjective
Denoting or governed by or relating to a bishop or bishops [syn: episcopal, pontifical]
adjective
Puffed up with vanity; "a grandiloquent and boastful manner"; "overblown oratory"; "a pompous speech"; "pseudo-scientific gobbledygook and pontifical hooey"- Newsweek [syn: grandiloquent, overblown, pompous, pontifical, portentous]
noun
The vestments and other insignia of a pontiff (especially a bishop)
Definition of 'Pontifical'
From: GCIDE
- 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. [1913 Webster]
- 2. Of or pertaining to the building of bridges. [R.] [1913 Webster]
- Now had they brought the work by wondrous art Pontifical, a ridge of pendent rock Over the vexed abyss. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Pontifical'
From: GCIDE
- Pontifical \Pon*tif"ic*al\, n. [F.]
- 1. A book containing the offices, or formulas, used by a pontiff. --South. [1913 Webster]
- 2. pl. The dress and ornaments of a pontiff. "Dressed in full pontificals." --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'pontifical'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- apostolic,
- arrogant,
- bigoted,
- bloated,
- bombastic,
- conceited,
- doctrinaire,
- doctrinarian,
- dogmatic,
- dogmatizing,
- flatulent,
- formal,
- gassy,
- grandiloquent,
- important,
- inflated,
- magisterial,
- opinionated,
- opinionative,
- opinioned,
- oracular,
- papal,
- papish,
- papist,
- papistic,
- peremptory,
- pompous,
- popish,
- positive,
- positivistic,
- pronunciative,
- puffy,
- self-important,
- self-opinionated,
- self-opinioned,
- solemn,
- stilted,
- stuffy,
- swollen,
- tumid,
- turgid