Pontifex maximus pointed out that the term existed before there were any bridges in Rome and derived the word from Old Latin "pontis" (sic) meaning a powerful or absolute master, while others derived it from "potis facere" in the sense of "able to sacrifice". The last derivation is mentioned also by Varro, who rejected it, but it was the view of Pontifex Maximus Quintus Scaevola. Others have held that the word was originally "pompifex" (leader of public processions). The word "pons" originally meant "way" and "pontifex" would thus mean "maker of roads and bridges". Another opinion is that the word is a
VIA (music) VIA (music) VIA (Russian: "ВИА") is an abbreviation for Vocal-[Music] Instrumental-Ensemble (, "Vokalno-instrumentalny ansambl"). It is the general name used for pop and rock bands that were formally recognized by the Soviet government from the 1960s to the 1980s. In Soviet times, the term "VIA" generally meant "band", but it is now used in Russia to refer specifically to pop, rock, and folk groups active during the Soviet period. The term VIA appeared in the Soviet Union in the 1960s and represented a model under which the Soviet government was willing to permit domestic rock and pop music acts to