Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In a pontifical manner; specifically, after the manner of a bishop; officially as bishop.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adverb In a pontifical manner.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb in a pontifical manner; whilst pontificating

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

pontifical +‎ -ly

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Examples

  • Indeed, how can you expect the military rulers of Burma to react to the offer of help from a country that has pontifically embraced the policy of "regime-change" in Myanmar, especially if this offer comes from the deck of a warship cruising off the coast?

    Al Eisele: One Year After "Nargis" -- How to Really Help the Burmese People 2009

  • When the time of his departure approached, he resolved to chant a Te Deum pontifically.

    Les Miserables 2008

  • Former loathed -by-coworkers three-ring binder newsletter copyeditor Obama, er, former international business consultant Obama will opine pontifically.

    Was Obama's only education accomplishment "legislation to teach 'comprehensive sex education' to kindergartners"? Ann Althouse 2008

  • On his return to the humble dwelling, which he designated, with a smile, as his palace, he said to his sister, “I have just officiated pontifically.”

    Les Miserables 2008

  • This bishop officiated pontifically and gave his blessing to the people, before whom he appeared bearing the mitre, the crosier, and even the archiepiscopal cross.

    A Philosophical Dictionary 2007

  • 'I have drink taken,' Shapiro amended pontifically.

    A Taste for Burning Bannister, Jo 1995

  • "We have power aboard our Keep, the Enterprise, that's greater than anything you have known," Kirk said almost pontifically to the Guardian group.

    The Abode of Life Lee Correy 1990

  • "We have power aboard our Keep, the Enterprise, that's greater than anything you have known," Kirk said almost pontifically to the Guardian group.

    The Abode of Life Lee Correy 1990

  • "We have power aboard our Keep, the Enterprise, that's greater than anything you have known," Kirk said almost pontifically to the Guardian group.

    The Abode of Life Lee Correy 1990

  • He handed the pistol back to Carlos and went on pontifically: 'Unnecessary violence never helped anyone.'

    Partisans MacLean, Alistair 1982

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