preside

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pre·side / priˈzīd/ • v. [intr.] 1. be in the position of authority in a meeting or gathering: Bishop Herbener presided at the meeting| [as adj.] (presiding) the sentence imposed by the presiding judge. ∎  (preside over) be in charge of (a place or situation): he presided over a period of great budgetary recklessness.2. (preside at) play (a musical instrument, esp. a keyboard instrument) at a public gathering.ORIGIN: early 17th cent.: from French présider, from Latin praesidere, from prae ‘before’ + sedere ‘sit.’

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