pontifical
Other forms: pontificals; pontifically
If you ever listen to talk radio you'll hear some fairly pontifical talk going on — that is, puffed up, vain, overblown speech from someone convinced he alone is right.
Pontifical also has a strictly religious meaning, in the sense of anything related to the Pope since the Pope is also known as the Pontiff, or supreme head of the Roman Catholic church. Because Catholic doctrine regards the Pope's official decrees as incapable of being wrong, his pontifical utterances are therefore deemed infallible.
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proceeding from or ordered by or subject to a pope or the papacy regarded as the successor of the Apostlessynonyms: apostolic, apostolical, papal
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denoting or governed by or relating to a bishop or bishopssynonyms: episcopal
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puffed up with vanity“"pseudo-scientific gobbledygook and pontifical hooey"- Newsweek”synonyms: grandiloquent, overblown, pompous, portentouspretentiousmaking claim to or creating an appearance of (often undeserved) importance or distinction
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the vestments and other insignia of a pontiff (especially a bishop)type of:vestmentgown (especially ceremonial garments) worn by the clergy
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Vocabulary lists containing pontifical
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When two brothers declare their intention to commit murder, no one in their town takes on the responsibility of preventing the crime.
