podestà noun. [pode'sta:] M16.
[Italian from Latin potestas, -tat- power, authority, magistrate.]
Orig. (now Hist.), a governor appointed by Frederick I (Holy Roman Emperor 1155-90, and King of Germany 1152-90) over one or more cities of Lombardy; an elected chief magistrate of a medieval Italian town or republic. Later, a subordinate judge or magistrate in an Italian municipality; an administrative head of an Italian commune.

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