po·des·ta (p -d s t , p d-stä)n. The chief magistrate in any of the republics of medieval Italy. [Italian podestà, from Old Italian podestate, from Latin potest  s, power, from potis, powerful, able; see poti- in Indo-European roots.] |
podesta [pɒˈdɛstə (Italian) podeˈsta]
n
1. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) (in modern Italy) a subordinate magistrate in some towns
2. (Historical Terms) (in Fascist Italy) the chief magistrate of a commune
3. (Historical Terms) (in medieval Italy)
a. any of the governors of the Lombard cities appointed by Frederick Barbarossa
b. a chief magistrate in any of various republics, such as Florence
[from Italian: power, from Latin potestās ability, power, from posse to be able]
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