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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

podesta

Even now the podesta was trying to use fear rather than pain to make Daoud tell him what he wanted to know.

From The Saracen: The Holy War by Robert Shea

The podesta had chosen Greek Fire because it was strange, hinted of magic—maligno.

From The Saracen: The Holy War by Robert Shea

"Curiosity is a worthier motive than torture," said Daoud, hoping he was undermining d'Ucello's resolution and making the podesta feel ashamed.

From The Saracen: The Holy War by Robert Shea

Thereupon the natives first gazed stupidly, not believing their eyes, then pounced on him and dragged him before the podesta.

From The Cloister and the Hearth A Tale of the Middle Ages by Charles Reade

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

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