preside Copy link Outline 1. praesum, irr. (gen. term, to be at the head of, have the superintendence of anything2. praesĭdeo, sēdi, 2 (esp. suited to denote a judicial position • preside: 1. praesum, irr. (gen. term, to be at the head of, have the superintendence of anything: with dat.): v. head (VII.). 2. praesĭdeo, sēdi, 2 (esp. suited to denote a judicial position: with dat. or absol.): to p. over affairs in the city, pr. rebus urbanis, Caes. B. C. 1, 85: Suet. Absol.: the emperor p.d (at the trial), princeps praesidebat, Plin. Ep. 2, 11, 10. Phr.: to p. at the comitia (elections), comitia habere, Cic.: Liv.: v. to hold (XI.).