Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PON-TEE', n.

In glass-works, an iron instrument used to stick the glass at the bottom, for the more convenient fashioning the neck of it. – Cyc.

PONT'IC, a. [L. Pontus, the Euxine Sea, Gr. ποντος.]

Pertaining to the Pontus, Euxine, or Black Sea. – J. Barlow.

PONT'IF, or PONT'IFF, n. [Fr. pontife; L. pontifex; said to be from pons, a bridge, and facio, to make. The second f is improperly added to this word. It is properly rejected in the derivatives.]

A high priest. The Romans had a college of pontifs; the Jews had their pontifs; and in modern times, the pope is called pontif or sovereign pontif. – Encyc.

PON-TIF'IC, a.

Relating to priests; popish. – Milton. Shenstone.

PON-TIF'IC-AL, a. [L. pontificalis.]

1. Belonging to a high priest; as, pontifical authority; hence, belonging to the pope; popish. – Ralegh.
2. Splendid; magnificent. – Shak.
3. Bridge-building. [Not used.] – Milton.

PON-TIF'IC-AL, n.

A book containing rites and ceremonies ecclesiastical. – South. Stillingfleet.

PON-TIF-IC-AL'I-TY, n.

The state and government of the pope; the papacy. [Not used.] – Usher.

PON-TIF'IC-AL-LY, adv.

In a pontifical manner.

PON-TIF'IC-ALS, n.

The dress and ornaments of a priest or bishop. – Lowth.

PON-TIF'IC-ATE, n. [L. pontificatus.]

1. The state or dignity of a high priest; particularly, the office or dignity of the pope. He turned hermit in the view of being advanced to the pontificate. – Addison.
2. The reign of a pope. Painting, sculpture and architecture may all recover themselves under the present pontificate. – Addison.

PONT'I-FICE, n.

Bridge-work; structure or edifice of bridge. [Little used.] – Milton.

PON-TI-FI'CIAL, a.

Popish. – Burton.

PON-TI-FI'CIAN, a.

Popish; papistical. – Hall.

PON-TI-FI'CIAN, n.

One that adheres to the pope; papist. – Mountague.

PON'TINE, or POMP'TINE, a. [L. pontina, a lake.]

Designating a large marsh between Rome and Naples.

PONT'LE-VIS, n.

In horsemanship, a disorderly resisting of a horse by rearing repeatedly on his hind legs, so as to be in danger of coming over. – Bailey.

PON-TOON', n. [Fr. and Sp. ponton, from Fr. pont, L. pons, a bridge, probably from the root of pono, to lay.]

1. A flat-bottomed boat, whose frame of wood is covered and lined with tin, or covered with copper; used in forming bridges over rivers for armies. – Encyc.
2. A lighter; a low flat vessel resembling a barge, furnished with cranes, capstans and other machinery; used in careening ships, chiefly in the Mediterranean. – Mar. Dict. Pontoon-bridge, is a bridge formed with pontoons, anchored or made fast in two lines, about five feet asunder. – Cyc. Pontoon-carriage, is made with two wheels only, and two long side pieces, whose fore ends are supported by timbers. – Cyc.

PO'NY, n.

A small horse.

POOD, n.

A Russian weight, equal to 40 Russian or 36 English pounds.

POO'DLE, n.

1. A kind of small dog.
2. A variety of pet dog.

POOL, n. [Sax. pol, pul; D. poel; G. pfuhl; Dan. pöl; W. pwll, a pool or pit; Arm. poul; L. palus; Gr. πηλος; probably from setting, standing, like L. stagnum, or from issuing, as a spring.]

A small collection of water in a hollow place, supplied by a spring, and discharging its surplus water by an outlet. It is smaller than a lake, and in New England is never confounded with pond or lake. It signifies with us, a spring with a small basin or reservoir on the surface of the earth. It is used by writers with more latitude, and sometimes signifies a body of stagnant water. – Milton. Encyc. Bacon.

POOL, or POULE, n. [Fr. poule.]

The stakes played for in certain games of cards. – Southern.

POOP, n. [Fr. poupe; It. poppa; Sp. popa; L. puppis; probably a projection.]

The highest and aftermost part of a ship's deck. – Mar. Dict.

POOP, v.t.

1. To strike upon the stern, as a heavy sea.
2. To strike the stern, as one vessel that runs her stem against another's stem. – Mar. Dict.

POOP'ING, n.

The shock of a heavy sea on the stern or quarter of a ship, when scudding in a tempest; also, the action of one ship's running her stem against another's stern. – Mar. Dict.