|pōdə|stä noun
( -s )
Etymology: Italian podestà, potestà, literally, power, authority, from Latin potestat-, potestas — more at potestate
1. : a chief magistrate with extensive powers elected in a medieval Italian town or republic
2. : a subordinate judge or magistrate in some Italian towns
3. : a chief executive of an Italian commune appointed by the central government in the Fascist regime