Pon"tiff (?), n. [F. pontife, L. pontifex, -ficis; pons, pontis, a bridge (perhaps originally, a way, path) + facere to make. Cf. Pontoon.]
A high priest.
Especially: (a)
One of the sacred college, in ancient Rome, which had the supreme jurisdiction over all matters of religion, at the head of which was the Pontifex Maximus
.
Dr. W. Smith. (b) Jewish Antiq.
The chief priest
. (c)
R. C. Ch. The pope.
© Webster 1913.