‖ pontificalia, n. pl.
(pɒntɪfɪˈkeɪlɪə)
[L., neut. pl. of pontificālis adj. pontifical. (In med.L., in Matthew Paris 1259.)]
The vestments and other insignia of a bishop; pontificals (see prec. B. 3). Also transf. Official robes.
| 1577–87 Holinshed Chron. II. 31/2 In another prouince he may be in his pontificalibus, so that pontificalia differeth from the pall. 1691 Wood Ath. Oxon. II. 114 He appeared in his Pontificalia. 1754 J. Shebbeare Matrimony (1766) I. 189 When we see a Doctor in Divinity dressed in his Pontificalia, we conclude that these Robes include a pious, learned, and humane Man. |