preside

i. [Fr. présider, from Lat. præsideo = to sit before: præ =before, and sedeo =to sit; Sp. presidir; Ital. presedere.] [PRESES.] 1. To be set over others; to have the place of ruler, moderator, controller, or director, as the chairman or president of a meeting, board, .; to act as director, controller, or president; as, to pre side at a public meeting. 2. To exercise superintendence; to watch over. "God himself in his own person immediately presided over them."- Scott : Christian Life , pt. ii., ch. vii. prěş'-i-dençe, s. (Fr.) Superintendence, presi dency. "The presidence and guidance of an unseen governing power."- Wollaston : Religion of Nature , § 5.