PONTIFICAL

Pronunciation (US):

• PONTIFICAL (noun)
  The noun PONTIFICAL has 1 sense:

1. the vestments and other insignia of a pontiff (especially a bishop)

  Familiarity information: PONTIFICAL used as a noun is very rare.

• PONTIFICAL (adjective)
  The adjective PONTIFICAL has 3 senses:

1. proceeding from or ordered by or subject to a pope or the papacy regarded as the successor of the Apostles
2. denoting or governed by or relating to a bishop or bishops
3. puffed up with vanity

  Familiarity information: PONTIFICAL used as an adjective is uncommon.

• PONTIFICAL (noun)

Meaning:

The vestments and other insignia of a pontiff (especially a bishop)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("pontifical" is a kind of...):

vestment (gown (especially ceremonial garments) worn by the clergy)

• PONTIFICAL (adjective)

Meaning:

Proceeding from or ordered by or subject to a pope or the papacy regarded as the successor of the Apostles

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

apostolical; papal; pontifical; apostolic

Context example:

papal dispensation

Pertainym:

pope (the head of the Roman Catholic Church)

Meaning:

Denoting or governed by or relating to a bishop or bishops

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

pontifical; episcopal

Pertainym:

bishop (a clergyman having spiritual and administrative authority; appointed in Christian churches to oversee priests or ministers; considered in some churches to be successors of the twelve apostles of Christ)

Meaning:

Puffed up with vanity

Synonyms:

overblown; pompous; grandiloquent; pontifical; portentous

Context examples:

a grandiloquent and boastful manner / overblown oratory / a pompous speech / pseudo-scientific gobbledygook and pontifical hooey

Similar:

pretentious (making claim to or creating an appearance of (often undeserved) importance or distinction)