preside

Where does the word "preside" come from? It comes from Latin prae sedere, passing through French before entering English (1610s).

Preside’s story begins in Latin: prae sedere meant “to sit before.” To sit before, from prae- (before) and sedere (to sit). By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as presider. Carried into French for being in charge of a meeting or event. It reached English by 1610s as preside. Settled as the English word for having authority over a meeting or proceeding. Today, preside means to be in a position of authority over a meeting, ceremony, or organization.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient prae sedere "to sit before", to sit before, from prae- (before) and sedere (to sit).
2. Stage 2 · French · 1500s presider "to be in charge of a meeting or event", carried into French for being in charge of a meeting or event.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1610s preside "to have authority over a meeting or proceeding", settled as the English word for having authority over a meeting or proceeding.