pontifIcate

i. [Eccles. Latin pontifico.] [PONTIFICATE, 8.] Eccles.: To exercise solemn ecclesiastical functions. To pontificate at high ma =to celebrate high ma as a prelate. †pon-ti-fiçe, s. [Latin pons (gen it. pont is )=a bridge, and facio = to make.] Bridge-work; the erection or structure of a bridge. "This new pontifice."- Milton: P. L., x. 348. *pon-ti-fic-ial (ças sh), a. [Lat. pontific i us .] Pontifical, papal, popish. "Such stories I find among pontificial writers." -Bur ton: Anat. Melancholy , p. 52. *pon-ti-fi-cian, a. & 8. [Lat. pontific i us.] A. As adj.: Pontifical, popish. "Pontific i an laws."- Bp . Hall : Peacemaker , § 12. B. As subst .: An adherent or supporter of the pope or papacy; a papist. "Many pontific i ans and we differ not in this point." Montagu: Appeal to Cæsar, p. 84. pon-til, s. [PONTEE.] Pon-tine, Pomp-tine, adj . [Lat. Pont in us , Pomptinus ; Fr. Pontin ; Ital. Pontino .] Pertaining or relating to a large marshy district between Rome and Naples. (Macaulay: Battle of the Lake Regillus , xiv.)