pontificate

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During his pontificate, the role of Canon Law, which changed, the Canon Law was changed so that women were allowed in many more decision making positions in the church.

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Definitions (11)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (3)

  1. noun The office or term of office of a pontiff.
  2. intransitive verb To express opinions or judgments in a dogmatic way.
  3. intransitive verb To administer the office of a pontiff.

Toggle Century definitions Century Dictionary (3)

Toggle GNU Webster definitions GNU Webster's 1913 (2)

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Examples

  • During his pontificate, the role of Canon Law, which changed, the Canon Law was changed so that women were allowed in many more decision making positions in the church. —  CNN Transcript Apr 2, 2005
  • Again, Anderson, I think the fascinating thing about what this pontificate is going to be -- so often, popes step in as question marks. —  CNN Transcript Apr 19, 2005
  • And I really do think the characteristic of his pontificate will be a clarity and depth at articulating the inner meaning of the faith as an articulation of the truth of the love that's revealed in Jesus Christ. —  CNN Transcript Apr 24, 2005
  • Among the great works which he executed in this pontificate are the Baldachin, or great altar of St. Peter's, in bronze and gilt, under the centre of the great dome; the four colossal statues which fill the niches under the pedatives; the pulpit and canopy of St. Peter's; the Campanile; and the Barberini palace. —  Anecdotes of Painters, Engravers, Sculptors and Architects and Curiosities of Art (Vol. 3 of 3)
  • The most important act of his pontificate was the publication of the bull against witchcraft. —  The Age of the Reformation
 

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Etymologies (3)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Latin pontificātus, from pontifex, pontific-, pontifex; see pontifex. V., from Medieval Latin pontificāre, pontificāt-, to act as an ecclesiastic, from Latin pontifex.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (2)

  1. from French pontificat = Spanish pg. pontificado = Italian pontificato, from Latin pontificatus, the office of a pontiff, from pontifex (-fic-), pontiff: see pontiff.
  2. from Middle Latin pontificatus, past participle of pontificure, perform a pontifi's duties, from Latin pontifex(-fic-), pontiff: see pontiff.
 

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/pɑnˈtɪfɪkeɪt/
by American Heritage

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