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Hyphenation for “pontificate”

Showing how to split the syllables of “pontificate”.

What is the correct hyphenation for “pontificate”? The purpose of hyphenation is to separate a word such as "pontificate" because otherwise it would be too long and would no longer fit on one line. This separation not only saves space it improves the visually flow of the text. This word separation exists in most languages. In English, the word separation of “pontificate” is based on the speech syllables. The separating syllable in linguistics is therefore the smallest group of sounds in the natural flow of speech. As a separator, the classic hyphen is usually used: „pontificate“ ⟶ „pon-tif-i-cate“.

Hyphens are occasionally used to denote syllabification, as in syl-la-bi-fi-ca-tion. Various British and North American dictionaries use an interpunct, sometimes called a "middle dot" or "hyphenation point", for this purpose, as in syl·la·bi·fi·ca·tion. This allows the hyphen to be reserved only for places where a hard hyphen is intended (for example, self-con·scious, un·self-con·scious, long-stand·ing). Similarly, hyphens may be used to indicate how a word is being or should be spelled. For example, W-O-R-D spells "word".

Definitions of "pontificate"

pontificate >> /pɑnˈtɪfɪˌkeɪt/

Definition: [intransitive verb] Express one's opinions in a way considered annoyingly pompous and dogmatic.
Example: he was pontificating about art and history

Synonyms of "pontificate"

hold forth | expound | declaim | preach | lay down the law | express one's opinion | express one's opinion pompously | sound off | spout | spout off | dogmatize | sermonize | moralize | pronounce | lecture | expatiate |

Definition: [intransitive verb] (in the Roman Catholic Church) officiate as bishop, especially at Mass.
Example: he pontificated at three Christmas Masses

Definition: [noun] (in the Roman Catholic Church) the office or tenure of pope or bishop.
Example: Pope Gregory VIII enjoyed only a ten-week pontificate