Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
PONTIFICAL
I. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin pontificale, from neuter of pontificalis
Date: 14th century
episcopal attire, a book containing the forms for sacraments and rites performed by a bishop,
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin pontificalis, from pontific-, pontifex
Date: 15th century
1. of or relating to a pontiff or pontifex, celebrated by a prelate of episcopal rank with distinctive ceremonies , pompous , pretentiously dogmatic, pontifically adverb