PONTIFF

pope, Catholic Pope, Roman Catholic Pope, pontiff, Holy Father, Vicar of Christ, Bishop of Rome

(noun) the head of the Roman Catholic Church

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

pontiff (plural pontiffs)

A bishop of the early Church; now specifically, the Pope. [from 16th c.]

(figuratively) Any chief figure or leader of a religion. [from 16th c.]

(historical) A pontifex. [from 17th c.]

Source: Wiktionary


Pon"tiff, n. Etym: [F. pontife, L. pontifex, -ficis; pons, pontis, a bridge (perhaps originally, a way, path) + facere to make. Cf. Pontoon.]

Definition: 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

6 January 2025

PREMATURELY

(adverb) (of childbirth) before the end of the normal period of gestation; “the child was born prematurely”


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Coffee Trivia

According to Guinness World Records, the largest coffee press is 230 cm (7 ft 6 in) in height and 72 cm (2 ft 4 in) in diameter and was created by Salzillo Tea and Coffee (Spain) in Murcia, Spain, in February 2007. The cafetière consists of a stainless steel container, a filtering piston, and a superior lid.

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