pon·ti·fex (p n t -f ks )n. pl. pon·tif·i·ces (p n-t f-s z) A man on the highest council of priests in ancient Rome. [Latin; see pent- in Indo-European roots.] |
pontifex [ˈpɒntɪˌfɛks]
n pl pontifices [pɒnˈtɪfɪˌsiːz]
(Historical Terms) (in ancient Rome) any of the senior members of the Pontifical College, presided over by the Pontifex Maximus
[from Latin, perhaps from Etruscan but influenced by folk etymology as if meaning literally: bridge-maker, from pons bridge + -fex from facere to make]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | pontifex - a member of the highest council of priests in ancient Rome capital of Italy, Eternal City, Italian capital, Rome, Roma - capital and largest city of Italy; on the Tiber; seat of the Roman Catholic Church; formerly the capital of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire priest - a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders antiquity - the historic period preceding the Middle Ages in Europe |
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