[Peace-discuss] AWARE

[C. G. Estabrook]

Here's the OED pontificating, as it were--

[< classical Latin pontific-, pontifex Roman high priest, in post-classical 
Latin also pope (4th cent.), bishop (5th cent.; frequently from 7th cent. in 
British sources), archbishop (frequently from 8th cent. in British sources), 
apparently (following ancient etymologists) < ponti-, alternative stem of pons 
bridge (see PONS n.) + -fic-, -fex, combining form of facere to do, make (see 
FACT n.), though this may represent merely a folk etymology ... In sense 4 
chiefly used punningly or allusively with reference to the supposed etymology.]
	[...]
     4. A bridge-maker. Also fig.
1686 J. F. G. CARERI Let. 6 Apr. in Coll. Voy. & Trav. (1732) 88/1 Jucundus on 
the Seyne two bridges laid, For which he well may Pontifex be said. Pontifex has 
here a double meaning, as signifying a bridge-maker; whereas the true 
acceptation of it is a bishop. 1834 T. CARLYLE Sartor Resartus I. xi. 28/2 Never 
perhaps since our first Bridge-builders, Sin and Death, built that stupendous 
Arch from Hell-gate to the Earth, did any Pontifex, or Pontiff, undertake such a 
task. 1877 Outl. Hist. Relig. 237 No special deity claimed the services of the 
Pontifices, the bridge- or road-makers. 1927 Jrnl. Royal Anthropol. Instit. 57 
248 Moses was a Pontifex indeed. His device, whatever it may have been, perhaps 
the choice of an interval between the floods, became a miracle. 1999 Hinduism 
Today (Nexis) 30 Apr. 25 He was a Pontifex..a man throwing bridges over 
different rivers. Vedic heritage and Greek Pagan thought, Hindu worldview and 
Germanic tradition.

John W. wrote:
> ... 
> Incidentally, in my own dictionary perusings and musings - to say 
> nothing of my life experience - I'm not seeing anything about a person 
> who pontificates as being a "bridge builder":
> 
> *pon·tif·i·cate
> *
>   (pŏn-tĭf'ĭ-kĭt, -kāt')   
> n.  The office or term of office of a pontiff.
> intr.v.   (-kāt') *pon·tif·i·cat·ed*, *pon·tif·i·cat·ing*, *pon·tif·i·cates*
> 
>    1. To express opinions or judgments in a dogmatic way.
>    2. To administer the office of a pontiff.
> 
> 
> [Latin pontificātus, from pontifex, pontific-, /pontifex/; see * 
> pontifex*. V., from Medieval Latin pontificāre, pontificāt-, /to act as 
> an ecclesiastic/, from Latin pontifex.]
> *pon·tif'i·ca'tion*/ n./, *pon·tif'i·ca'tor*/ n.
> 
> /
> 
> The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
> Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
> Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
>