Pontificate (verb)
pon-tif-i-kayt
To speak in a pompous or dogmatic manner. From the original definition, which is to perform the office or duties of a pontiff.
First recorded in 1400–50. The noun is from Latin pontificātus, derivative of pontific- (stem of pontifex ) + -ātus noun suffix denoting office or function; pontifex, -ate. The verb is from Medieval Latin pontificātus, past participle of pontificāre “to be an ecclesiastic”; -ate.
Example sentences
“He did like to pontificate and waste everyone’s time prattling on.”
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