A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1450-1626
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Pontifical(l, -ale, adj. and n. [ME and e.m.E. pontifical (c 1380), -all, pontyfycall, F. pontifical (1269 in Grand Larousse), L. pontificālis of or belonging to a Pontifex.] Pontifical.
A. adj. Pertaining to, or befitting, a. a chief- or high-priest, b. a bishop or prelate, episcopal. c1515 Asloan MS I 315/21.
Thair was … gevin to the sonnis of Hely pontificale dignite a1578 Pitsc. II 123/32.
Than was brocht to our bischoppis keippis of gold … and areyit than in thair pontificall ordour and estait 1590 Burel Pilgr. ii 28.
This muldrie and buldrie Wes maist magnificall, Maist royall and ioyall, Trim and pontificall
B. noun. 1. A bishop's robe; the vestments and other insignia of a bishop. Also plur., id. c1450-2 Howlat 681 (A).
The pape passit till his place in his pontificale [: merschale, fale, hale] c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 4604.
And thow bischope in thi pontificall a1500 Henr. Orph. 340 (Ch. & M.). 1508 Rentale Dunkeld. (S.H.S.) 2.
Ane cors of gold for the pontificall, the price thretty schilling greit 1531 Bell. Boece I 162. a1538 Abell 72 b.
Bischep Fothad cumand in his pontificall betwix thame 1535 Stewart 26465. 1559 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I lxxxix.
Item, the pontificall, viz. a chesabill, 4 tunicks, 3 stols, 5 fav[n]onis of cloath of gold, 5 albs, 5 amites, with their parurs [ed. paruts] of cloath of gold 1581 Burne Disput. 94 b.
Leo … cled in his pontifical vithout onie kynd of armore … did meit him at the valter of Po 1622-6 Bisset II 351/31.plur. c1540 Lynd. Syde Taillis 17.
Bischoppis in thare pontificallis Haue men for to beir up thare taillis, For dignite of thare office
b. transf. to the ceremonial dress of a burgess, as worn on official occasions. 1590 Burel Queen's Entry 364.
The other burgissis forby Wer cled in thair pontificall
2. ? The office of a bishop or Pope; (his) pontificate.But perhaps merely another example of 1. 1567 Gude and Godlie Ballatis 178.
Thocht thow be paip or cardinall Sa heich in thy pontificall
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"Pontifical adj., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/pontificall>
