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preside

[pri-zahyd]
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verb (used without object), pre·sid·ed, pre·sid·ing.
  1. to occupy the place of authority or control, as in an assembly or meeting; act as president or chairperson.
  2. to exercise management or control (usually followed by over): The lawyer presided over the estate.
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Origin of preside

1605–15; < Latin praesidēre to preside over, literally, sit in front of, equivalent to prae- pre- + -sidēre, combining form of sedēre to sit1
Related formspre·sid·er, nounun·pre·sid·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

spokesmanadministratorchairpersondirectorleaderchairwomanmonitormoderatorspeakerpresidentchaircaptainprincipaltoastmasterspokespersonsymposiarchintroducerpresiderprolocutor

Examples from the Web for presider

Historical Examples

  • Mars was the presider over gladiators, and was the god of all exercises, which have in them a manly or spirited character.

    Heathen Mythology

    Various

British Dictionary definitions for presider

preside

verb (intr)
  1. to sit in or hold a position of authority, as over a meeting
  2. to exercise authority; control
  3. to occupy a position as an instrumentalisthe presided at the organ
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Derived Formspresider, noun

Word Origin

C17: via French from Latin praesidēre to superintend, from prae before + sedēre to sit
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for presider

preside

v.

1610s, from French présider "preside over, govern" (15c.), from Latin praesidere "stand guard; superintend," literally "sit in front of," from prae "before" (see pre-) + sedere "to sit" (see sedentary).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper