podesta

noun

po·​de·​sta ˌpō-də-ˈstä How to pronounce podesta (audio)
: a chief magistrate in a medieval Italian municipality

Word History

Etymology

Italian podestà, literally, power, from Latin potestat-, potestas, irregular from potis able — more at potent

First Known Use

1553, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of podesta was in 1553

Dictionary Entries Near podesta

podeon

podesta

podetial

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Podesta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/podesta. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about podesta

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