Presidial

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /pɹɪˈsɪdɪ.əl/

Definitions

1. Concerning the powers and duties associated with a governing authority or leadership position
2. Concerning the functions and responsibilities exercised by an individual in a leadership or governance role
3. Pertaining to the role and influence of a president within an organization or government

Etymology: "Presidial" began as a term for the seat of a provincial governor in the Roman world. Its Latin ancestor, "praesidialis," belonged to "praeses," a word for a governor or protector, built from "prae" (before) and "sedere" (to sit). The governor was, literally, the one who sat in front, and that image of authority carried through the word's history. The adjective passed through Middle French "presidial," where it took on a more specific legal sense connected to the French courts. From there it reached English with the meaning given today: relating to a president, a presiding officer, or a leader. The word is rare in modern use, and most readers will meet it only in historical or formal writing about the French judicial system or in discussions of the office of a presidency.