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pontificio

papal, pontifical

adjective pon-TEE-choh Rare

Origin: Latin pontificius, from pontifex (high priest).

Usage Note

Pontificio describes anything belonging to or issued by the Pope: la Guardia Pontificia (the Pontifical Guard), uno stato pontificio (a papal state). It is a formal, institutional adjective not used in everyday conversation. The plural forms are pontifici (m) and pontificie (f).

Examples

"Il Palazzo Pontificio ospita la residenza papale."

Natural Translation

The Pontifical Palace houses the papal residence.

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