Pontificated

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To deliver one's opinions with an air of authority and certainty while often lacking supporting evidence or open-mindedness
2. To speak with a self-assured tone about a subject, frequently presenting personal views as indisputable truths
3. To speak or express views in a self-important manner that suggests having unquestionable knowledge

Etymology: The surprising part is the bridge. The Roman "pontifex," the title for a senior priest, was built from "pons," meaning "bridge," and "facere," meaning "make." Early Roman priests were in charge of religious duties, and the name seems to have referred to their role in maintaining sacred bridge-building rites, though the exact sense is uncertain. Whatever its origin, the Latin title passed into medieval Latin as "pontificare," meaning to act as a high priest. The English verb "pontificate" came from that medieval Latin base, and English speakers first used it in its literal sense of officiating as a pope or high priest. The figurative sense of holding forth with unquestioned authority developed from the image of a pope speaking ex cathedra, with an air of infallibility. Here "pontificated" is simply the past tense of that verb, showing the action in the past, as in "he pontificated for an hour."

Synonyms: declared, predicted, opined, asserted, proclaimed

Antonyms: mumbled, whispered, doubted, retracted, questioned