‖ pontifiˈcalibus
[Lat., abl. of pontificālia (see prec.), in phr. in pontificālibus in pontificals.]
Used as = prec., almost always in phr. in his (or their) pontificalibus, in imitation of the L. phrase (see ‖ in 22). Hence (sometimes) improperly as if an ordinary Eng. noun (quots. 1620, 1772, and 1855 in b).
| [1306 in Beverley Chapter Act Bk. (Surtees) I. 120 Imago Episcopi stantis in pontificalibus induti.] 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) VIII. 69 Þis Baldewyn had..songe in every cathedral chirche of Wales a masse in pontificalibus. c 1530 Ld. Berners Arth. Lyt. Bryt. (1814) 402 The byshop of Pancopone, reuest in his pontificalibus. 1577–87 [see prec.]. 1591 G. Fletcher Russe Commw. (Hakl. Soc.) 23 The patriarch, with metropolitanes, bishops, abbots, and priors, all richly clad in their pontificalibus. 1620 Melton Astrolog. 64 Pope Syluester the second,..with such learning had attained to his Pontificalibus. 1728 Fielding Love in Sev. Masques iv. vii, The parson is drest in his Pontificalibus. 1772 tr. J.F. de Isla's Fr. Gerund iv. iii. 70 It was an ornament as necessary as precious to the bravery of his pontificalibus. |
b. transf. Official or ceremonial attire.
| 1693 Rymer Short View Tragedy 3 The Venetian Senate in their Pontificalibus. 1855 Smedley, etc. Occult Sc. 189 The proper attire or ‘pontificalibus’ of a magician. |