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

The podesta would be satisfied that Erculio had done his work well.

From The Saracen: The Holy War by Shea, Robert

According to Vincenzo," Erculio whispered, "the contessa ordered the podesta to stop torturing you.

From The Saracen: The Holy War by Shea, Robert

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 Reade, Charles

"It is probably because David did testify against the Tartars that the podesta thinks he might be connected with the attack on your palace," said Ugolini.

From The Saracen: The Holy War by Shea, Robert

The look in d'Ucello's eyes told Daoud that the moment when the podesta would strike at him was not far away.

From The Saracen: The Holy War by Shea, Robert