| Pontiff 1. (n.) The pope. 2. (n.) 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. 3. (n.) The chief priest. Thesaurus Entries Grand Penitentiary, Holy Father, abuna, antipope, archbishop, archdeacon, archpriest, bishop, bishop coadjutor, canon, cardinal, cardinal bishop, cardinal deacon, cardinal priest, chaplain, coadjutor, curate, dean, diocesan, ecclesiarch, exarch, hierarch, high priest, metropolitan, papa, patriarch, penitentiary, pope, prebendary, prelate, primate, rector, rural dean, subdean, suffragan, vicar |