Definition of pontifex in English:
pontifex
nounPlural pontifices ˈpɒntɪfɛksˈpɑn(t)əˌfɛks
(in ancient Rome) a member of the principal college of priests.
Example sentencesExamples
- It took their priesthood, their pontifex, their pontiff, and gave it a whole new meaning, a whole new level.
- Truly it points to Jesus as pontifex, mediator, broker, and priest uniting both God and the disciples.
- Other NT writings call Jesus ‘mediator’ and ‘priest’, two different ways of explaining Jesus' pontifex role.
- Which is what pontiff or pontifex means, a bridge-builder.
- All this may look democratic, but in 300 he opposed the admission of plebeians to the two main priestly colleges (pontifices and augures) and on two occasions attempted to secure the election of an all-patrician college.
Origin
Latin, from pons, pont- 'bridge' + -fex from facere 'make'.
Definition of pontifex in US English:
pontifex
nounˈpän(t)əˌfeksˈpɑn(t)əˌfɛks
(in ancient Rome) a member of the principal college of priests.
Example sentencesExamples
- Which is what pontiff or pontifex means, a bridge-builder.
- It took their priesthood, their pontifex, their pontiff, and gave it a whole new meaning, a whole new level.
- Truly it points to Jesus as pontifex, mediator, broker, and priest uniting both God and the disciples.
- All this may look democratic, but in 300 he opposed the admission of plebeians to the two main priestly colleges (pontifices and augures) and on two occasions attempted to secure the election of an all-patrician college.
- Other NT writings call Jesus ‘mediator’ and ‘priest’, two different ways of explaining Jesus' pontifex role.
Origin
Latin, from pons, pont- ‘bridge’ + -fex from facere ‘make’.