Difference between revisions of "Pontificate"
From Hull AWE
PeterWilson (Talk | contribs) |
PeterWilson (Talk | contribs) |
||
| (3 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | The written word '''pontificate''' exists in two different pronunciations and [[word class]]es. They share a derivation from '''''pontifex''''', the title of a high priest in ancient [[Rome]], which was adopted, particularly in the form '''''pontifex maximus''''' 'the greatest high priest', by the [[Pope]], or Bishop of Rome. The current English equivalent is '''pontiff''', "Originally: a bishop of the early Western Church. Now: spec | + | The written word '''pontificate''' exists in two different pronunciations and [[word class]]es. They share a derivation from '''''pontifex''''', the title of a high priest in ancient [[Rome]], which was adopted, particularly in the form '''''pontifex maximus''''' 'the greatest high priest', by the [[Pope]], or Bishop of Rome. The current English equivalent is '''pontiff''', "Originally: a bishop of the early Western Church. Now: ''spec[ifically]'' the bishop of Rome, the Pope" (''[[OED]]''). |
| − | *As a [[noun]], '''pontificate''' is stressed on the second syllable, 'pon-TIFF-ick-et', {{IPA| | + | ::::The family which supplies the main characters of Samuel Butler's satirical novel ''The Way of All Flesh'' (written between 1873 and 1884 but not published until 1903) is called '''Pontifex'''; the [[hero]] is '''Ernest Pontifex'''. |
| − | *As a [[verb]], 'to '''pontificate'''<nowiki>'</nowiki> has a secondary stress, and consequently a much clearer vowel, in the last syllable: 'pon-TIFF-ick-ate', {{IPA| | + | *As a [[noun]], '''pontificate''' is stressed on the second syllable, 'pon-TIFF-ick-et', {{IPA|pɒn 'tɪf ɪ kɪ (''or''ə)t}}. It means 'the period of a Pope's incumbency or reign', and sometimes 'the position or office of a Pope'. It can also be applied to the priests of ancient Rome in similar senses. |
| + | *As a [[verb]], 'to '''pontificate'''<nowiki>'</nowiki> has a secondary stress, and consequently a much clearer vowel, in the last syllable: 'pon-TIFF-ick-<big>ate</big>', {{IPA|pɒn 'tɪf ɪ ,keɪt}}. It means 'to speak in a pompous way', 'to lay down the law', or, more generally and prejudicially, 'to carry on as if one's words carried the authority of the Bishop of Rome' or 'to speak as if you thought you were the Pope'. | ||
[[Category:disambig]] | [[Category:disambig]] | ||
| Line 8: | Line 9: | ||
[[Category:Christianity]] | [[Category:Christianity]] | ||
[[Category:religion]] | [[Category:religion]] | ||
| + | [[Category:English literature]] | ||
Latest revision as of 03:57, 24 February 2016
The written word pontificate exists in two different pronunciations and word classes. They share a derivation from pontifex, the title of a high priest in ancient Rome, which was adopted, particularly in the form pontifex maximus 'the greatest high priest', by the Pope, or Bishop of Rome. The current English equivalent is pontiff, "Originally: a bishop of the early Western Church. Now: spec[ifically] the bishop of Rome, the Pope" (OED).
- The family which supplies the main characters of Samuel Butler's satirical novel The Way of All Flesh (written between 1873 and 1884 but not published until 1903) is called Pontifex; the hero is Ernest Pontifex.
- As a noun, pontificate is stressed on the second syllable, 'pon-TIFF-ick-et', IPA: /pɒn 'tɪf ɪ kɪ (orə)t/. It means 'the period of a Pope's incumbency or reign', and sometimes 'the position or office of a Pope'. It can also be applied to the priests of ancient Rome in similar senses.
- As a verb, 'to pontificate' has a secondary stress, and consequently a much clearer vowel, in the last syllable: 'pon-TIFF-ick-ate', IPA: /pɒn 'tɪf ɪ ,keɪt/. It means 'to speak in a pompous way', 'to lay down the law', or, more generally and prejudicially, 'to carry on as if one's words carried the authority of the Bishop of Rome' or 'to speak as if you thought you were the Pope'.
