pontiff
nounUK /ˈpɒntɪf/
Etymology Borrowed from Middle French pontife m, from Latin pontifex m. Doublet of pontifex.
1
Ancient Rome, Historical A member of the most illustrious of the colleges of priests of the Roman religion, the College of Pontiffs; a pontifex.
2
A bishop of the early Church; now specifically, the Pope.
- In several respects John turned out to be an unexpected figure as supreme pontiff.2007, Edwin Mullins, The Popes of Avignon, Blue Bridge, published 2008, page 46:
3
Figuratively Any chief figure or leader of a religion.
- Derived terms
- pontify
- Related terms
- pontificate