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pontifex

UK:^*^*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈpɒntɪˌfɛks/US:USA pronunciation: respellingUSA pronunciation: respelling(pon′tə feks′)

pon•ti•fex (pon′tə feks′),USA pronunciation n., pl. pon•tif•i•ces (pon tif′ə sēz′).USA pronunciation [Rom. Relig.]

Ancient Historya member of the Pontifical College, which was presided over by a chief priest (Pon′tifex Max′imus.)

Latin: apparently literally, path-maker, equivalent. to ponti- (stem of pōns) bridge, probably origin, originally, path (see pons) + -fec- (combining form of facere to make) + -s nominative singular ending; the literal application is unclear
1570–80

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

pontifex /ˈpɒntɪˌfɛks/ n ( pl pontifices /pɒnˈtɪfɪˌsiːz/)

(in ancient Rome) any of the senior members of the Pontifical College, presided over by the Pontifex Maximus

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin, perhaps from Etruscan but influenced by folk etymology as if meaning literally: bridge-maker, from pons bridge + -fex from facere to make

'pontifex' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

pontiff - pontifical - pontifices

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