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

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

From The Saracen: The Holy War by Shea, Robert

D'Ucello bent closer to Daoud, and from his painful position, belly down, arms and legs stretched taut, Daoud lifted his head to look at the podesta.

From The Saracen: The Holy War by Shea, Robert

The militia of Orvieto, thought Sophia, was under the command of the podesta.

From The Saracen: The Holy War by Shea, Robert

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 Shea, Robert

Erculio has told me of your arrest and your sufferings at the hands of the podesta of Orvieto.

From The Saracen: The Holy War by Shea, Robert