podesta

po·des·ta

 (pō-dĕs′tə, pō′dĕ-stä′)

n.

The chief magistrate in any of the republics of medieval Italy.

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[Italian podestà, from Old Italian podestate, from Latin potestās, 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

[C16: from Italian: power, from Latin potestās ability, power, from posse to be able]

po•des•ta

(poʊˈdɛs tə, ˌpoʊ dəˈstɑ)

n., pl. -tas.

any of certain magistrates in Italy, as a chief magistrate in medieval towns and republics.

[1540–50; < Italian podestà power < Latin potestās power, command]