PONTIFEX, pontifex
Sounds Like: POHN-tih-feks
Translations: pontiff, high priest, a pontiff, a high priest, bridge-builder
From the root: PONTIFEX
Part of Speech: Noun
Explanation: PONTIFEX is a Latin noun meaning 'pontiff' or 'high priest'. It is a compound word derived from 'pons' (bridge) and 'facere' (to make), literally meaning 'bridge-builder'. In ancient Rome, the pontifices were members of the most important college of priests, responsible for maintaining the 'pax deorum' (peace of the gods) and overseeing religious rituals. Later, the term was adopted in Christianity to refer to a bishop, especially the Pope (Pontifex Maximus). It is used to refer to a religious leader or a person holding a high priestly office.
Inflection: Masculine, Singular, Nominative
Instances
Polycarp of Smyrna
- Polycarp’s Letter to the Philippians — 12:2
From the same root
No other words from the same root, PONTIFEX, appear in our texts.
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