1. Proceeding from or ordered by or subject to a pope or the papacy regarded as the successor of the Apostles
   "pontifical dispensation";
   - papal, apostolic, apostolical
    
2. Denoting or governed by or relating to a bishop or bishops
   "The pontifical church follows a hierarchical structure with bishops at the top";
   - episcopal
    
3. Puffed up with vanity
   "pseudo-scientific gobbledygook and pontifical hooey";
   - grandiloquent, overblown, pompous, portentous

1. The vestments and other insignia of a pontiff (especially a bishop)
   "The bishop donned his pontifical for the special ceremony"

Derived forms: pontificals

See also: pretentious

Type of: vestment

Encyclopedia: Pontifical