[pres.i.dent] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L praesident-, praesidens, fr. prp. of praesidere] (14c) 1: an official chosen to preside over a meeting or assembly
2: an appointed governor of a subordinate political unit
3: the chief officer of an organization (as a corporation or institution) usu. entrusted with the direction and administration of its policies
4: the presiding officer of a governmental body
5. a: an elected official serving as both chief of state and chief political executive in a republic having a presidential government b: an elected official having the position of chief of state but usu. only minimal political powers in a republic having a parliamentary government -- pres.i.den.tial adj -- pres.i.den.tial.ly adv -- pres.i.dent.ship n