podesta

noun

1. A chief magistrate of various Italian republics and city-states in the Middle Ages.

   historical

   Secular palaces, such as that of the Tolomei, were rented for municipal use, and officials such as the Podestà were found lodgings in others.

2. A municipal administrator during the Italian Fascist regime (1927–43).

   historical

   M.B. herself is tormented by anxiety […] for her husband, who, as Podestà of this town, is likely soon to get into trouble.

Where it comes from

From Italian podesta, from Latin potestas (“power; powerful one”). Doublet of poustie. See potent.

Adapted from the Wiktionary entry podesta (CC BY-SA 4.0).

← podagricpodzol →

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