podesta

American  

[poh-des-tuh, poh-duh-stah] / poʊˈdɛs tə, ˌpoʊ dəˈstɑ /

noun

1. any of certain magistrates in Italy, as a chief magistrate in medieval towns and republics.

2. a person appointed to serve as mayor of an Italian city during the Fascist regime.

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podesta British  

/ pɒˈdɛstə, podeˈsta /

noun

1. (in modern Italy) a subordinate magistrate in some towns

2. (in Fascist Italy) the chief magistrate of a commune

3. 1. any of the governors of the Lombard cities appointed by Frederick Barbarossa

   2. a chief magistrate in any of various republics, such as Florence

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Etymology

Origin of podesta

1540–50; < Italian podestà power < Latin potestās power, command

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

podesta

"But the podesta must have good reason for detaining this David."

From The Saracen: The Holy War by Robert Shea

In the 12th century it was a free city, governed by a podesta and consuls after the model of the Italian republics, which it also emulated in commerce and navigation.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 5 "Arculf" to "Armour, Philip" by Various

And, as podesta, my first concern is the welfare of Orvieto.

From The Saracen: The Holy War by Robert Shea

Daoud tried to read d'Ucello's round, swarthy face, but he could not tell whether the podesta was relieved or angry.

From The Saracen: The Holy War by Robert Shea

The podesta unlocked a tall box of dark wood, inlaid with ivory, that stood on his desk.

From The Saracen: The Holy War by Robert Shea