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

From The Saracen: The Holy War by Shea, Robert

No more delaying by talking to the podesta.

From The Saracen: The Holy War by Shea, Robert

I heard that you were tortured by this podesta.

From The Saracen: The Holy War by Shea, Robert

The dark eyes of the podesta, with the deep black rings under them, stared back.

From The Saracen: The Holy War by Shea, Robert

The podesta glanced at the silver flask on the table, but made no move to pick it up.

From The Saracen: The Holy War by Shea, Robert