pontifex

A man on the highest council of priests in ancient Rome.

In Roman antiquity, a member of the principal college of priests who was not assigned to the service of any particular god, but performed general functions of the state religion. The chief of the pontifices was styled pontifex maximus, and was ex officio the highest religious authority in the state.

Eccles., a bishop; specifically, the Pope.

A high priest; a pontiff.

a member of the highest council of priests in ancient Rome