pontificate
verbUK /pɒnˈtɪf.ɪ.keɪt/ · US /pɔnˈtɪf.ə.keɪt/
Etymology From the past participle stem of Medieval Latin pontificō, from Latin pontifex (“high priest”), from pons (“bridge”) + facere (“make”).
1
To preside as a bishop, especially at mass.
2
To act like a pontiff; to express one's position or opinions dogmatically and pompously as if they were absolutely correct.
3
To speak in a patronizing, supercilious or pompous manner, especially at length.
- During a policy discussion awhile^([sic]) back about New York issues, when Mr. Clinton began to pontificate, she told him that he did not exactly know what he was talking about and to hush up.2007 May 13, Patrick Healy, “In New Role, Senator Clinton’s Strategist in Chief”, in New York Times:
- "Do you hear that, Ryan? Your mommy is being a pontificating windbag."2014 January 16, Jocelyn Samara D., Rain (webcomic), Comic 482 - Blood:
- Derived terms
- pontificatingly, pontificator