pontificate

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to express opinions in a pompous or dogmatic way

   He loves to pontificate about art, even though he knows little about it.

2. 2
   verb

   to officiate as a bishop, especially at Mass

   The bishop will pontificate at the cathedral service.

From Latin pontifex ('high priest') via pontificatus ('office of a pontiff') and Late Latin pontificare ('to act as a pontiff'); into Middle English, later 'to speak in a pompous or dogmatic manner'.

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