Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PRE-SIDE, v.i. [s as z. L. præsideo; præ, before, and sedeo, to sit; It. presidere; Fr. presider; Sp. presidir.]

1. To be set over for the exercise of authority; to direct, control and govern, as the chief officer. A man may preside over a nation or provide or he may preside over a senate, or a meeting of citizens. The word is used chiefly in the latter sense. We say, a man presides over the senate with dignity. Hence it usually denotes temporary superintendence and government.
2. To exercise superintendence; to watch over as inspector. Some o'er the public magazines preside. – Dryden.