name
Pilate
PEYE-luht
name
1
Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who, according to the Bible, ordered the crucifixion of Jesus.
"Pilate famously washed his hands to signal he would take no responsibility for the decision."
How to Use Pilate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe Roman official from the New Testament associated with the trial of Jesus.
Common pairings
Pontius Pilate
wash one's hands like Pilate
Word Forms
more pilate comparative, most pilate superlative
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_____ famously washed his hands to signal he would take no responsibility for the decision.
Etymology
From Latin Pilatus, a Roman family name literally meaning "armed with javelins," from pilum ("javelin" or "pestle").