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n. 1. One appointed or elected to preside over an organized body of people, such as an assembly or meeting. 2. a. The chief executive of a republic. b. The chief executive officer of the United States, with powers as determined by the US Constitution. 3. The chief officer of a branch of government, corporation, board of trustees, university, or similar body. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin praesidēns, praesident-, from present participle of praesidēre, to preside; see PRESIDE.] presi·dent·ship′ n. Usage Note: Occupations that are also titles, like president, doctor, and senator are normally capitalized when they precede a proper name but are not capitalized when used as common nouns: the comments of President Obama; the president's news conference. |
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