Where does “pontifical” come from?
Pontifical comes from Latin pontificalis, an adjective derived from pontifex, meaning a Roman priest or bridge-builder.
pontifical (English): Of or pertaining to a pontiff; Pompous, dignified...
Definitions
- Of or pertaining to a pontiff; Pompous, dignified...
Ancestry of “pontifical”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Latin | pontificalis | pontifical |
| 2 | Latin | pontifex | a high priest, State minister in ancient Rome; a... |
| 3 | Latin | pōns | A bridge, a construction or natural feature that spans a divide |
| 4 | Latin | fractus | broken, shattered, having been broken;... |
| 5 | Latin | frangere | second-person singular future passive indicative... |
| 6 | Latin | frangō | to break, shatter |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰrēǵ- | to shine, shimmer |