pontifical
    adj 1: proceeding from or ordered by or subject to a pope or the
           papacy regarded as the successor of the Apostles; "papal
           dispensation" [syn: papal, apostolic, apostolical,
           pontifical]
    2: denoting or governed by or relating to a bishop or bishops
       [syn: episcopal, pontifical]
    3: puffed up with vanity; "a grandiloquent and boastful manner";
       "overblown oratory"; "a pompous speech"; "pseudo-scientific
       gobbledygook and pontifical hooey"- Newsweek [syn:
       grandiloquent, overblown, pompous, pontifical,
       portentous]
    n 1: the vestments and other insignia of a pontiff (especially a
         bishop)

Pontifical \Pon*tif"ic*al\, a. [L. pontificalis: cf. F.
   pontifical. See Pontiff.]
   1. Of or pertaining to a pontiff, or high priest; as,
      pontifical authority; hence, belonging to the pope; papal.
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   2. Of or pertaining to the building of bridges. [R.]
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            Now had they brought the work by wondrous art
            Pontifical, a ridge of pendent rock
            Over the vexed abyss.                 --Milton.
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Pontifical \Pon*tif"ic*al\, n. [F.]
   1. A book containing the offices, or formulas, used by a
      pontiff. --South.
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   2. pl. The dress and ornaments of a pontiff. "Dressed in full
      pontificals." --Sir W. Scott.
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