Pon*tif"i*cate (?), v. i. (R. C. Ch.) To perform the duty of a pontiff.
Pon"ti*fice (?), n. [L. pons, pontis, a bridge + facere to make. Cf.
Pontiff.] Bridgework; structure or edifice of a bridge. [R.] Milton.
Pon`ti*fi"cial (?), a. [L. pontificius.] Papal; pontifical. [Obs.]
"Pontificial writers." Burton.
Pon`ti*fi"cian (?), a. Of or pertaining to the pontiff or pope. [Obs.]
Bp. Hall.
Pon`ti*fi"cian, n. One who adheres to the pope or papacy; a papist.
[Obs.] Bp. Montagu.
Pon"til (?), n. Same as Pontee.
Pon"tile (?), a. [L. pontilis pertaining to a bridge.] (Anat.) Of or
pertaining to the pons Varolii. See Pons.
Pon"tine (?), a. [L. Pontinus or Pomptinus, an appellation given to a
district in Latium, near Pometia.] Of or pertaining to an extensive
marshy district between Rome and Naples. [Written also Pomptine.]
Pont"le*vis (?), n. [F., properly, a drawbridge.] (Man.) The action of
a horse in rearing repeatedly and dangerously.
Pon*ton" (?), n. [F.] See Pontoon.
Pon*toon" (?), n. [F. ponton (cf. It. pontone), from L. ponto, -onis,
fr. pons, pontis, a bridge, perhaps originally, a way, path: cf. Gr.
&?; path, Skr. path, pathi, panthan. Cf. Punt a boat.] 1. (Mil.) A
wooden flat-bottomed boat, a metallic cylinder, or a frame covered with
canvas, India rubber, etc., forming a portable float, used in building
bridges quickly for the passage of troops.
2. (Naut.) A low, flat vessel, resembling a barge, furnished with
cranes, capstans, and other machinery, used in careening ships, raising
weights, drawing piles, etc., chiefly in the Mediterranean; a lighter.
Pontoon bridge, a bridge formed with pontoons. -- Pontoon train, the
carriages of the pontoons, and the materials they carry for making a
pontoon bridge.
The French spelling ponton often appears in scientific works, but
pontoon is more common form.
Pon*toon"ing, n. The act, art, or process of constructing pontoon
bridges. "Army instruction in pontooning." Gen. W. T. Shermah.
Pont`vo*lant" (?; F. ?), n. [F. pont bridge + volant flying.] (Mil.) A
kind of light bridge, used in sieges, for surprising a post or outwork
which has but a narrow moat; a flying bridge.
Pon"ty (?), n. (Class Making) See Pontee.
Po"ny (?), n.; pl. Ponies (&?;). [Written also poney.] [Gael. ponaidh.]
1. A small horse.