pontiff/ˈpɒntɪf/EtymologyFrom pontiff, a nickname for someone who had played the role of the pope in a medieval religious play, or for a vain and pompous person.pontiff means A surname transferred from the nickname. Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 78 out of 100.nameA surname transferred from the nickname.nounA member of the most illustrious of the colleges of priests of the Roman religion, the College of Pontiffs; a pontifex.A bishop of the early Church; now specifically, the Pope.“In several respects John turned out to be an unexpected figure as supreme pontiff.”Any chief figure or leader of a religion.