Pre-side', v. i.

v. i. [imp. & p. p. PRESIDED; p. pr. & vb. n. PRESIDING.] [Fr. présider, Sp. presidir, It. presedere, presiedere, Lat. præsidere, from præ, before, and sedere, to sit.]

1. To be set for the exercise of authority; to occupy the place of ruler, moderator, principal director, or the like; to direct, control, and govern, as chief officer; as, to preside at a public meeting.
2. To exercise superintendence; to watch over as inspector.

Some o'er the public magazines preside. Dryden.