PRESIDE
Pre*side", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Presided; p. pr. & vb. n. Presiding.]
Etym: [L. praesidere; prae before + sedere to sit: cf. F. présider.
See Sit.]
1. To be set, or to sit, in the place of authority; to occupy the place of president, chairman, moderator, director, etc.; to direct, control, and regulate, as chief officer; as, to preside at a public meeting; to preside over the senate.
2. To exercise superintendence; to watch over. Some o'er the public magazines preside. Dryden.
PRESIDENCE
Pres"i*dence, n.
Defn: See Presidency. [Obs.]
PRESIDENCY
Pres"i*den*cy, n.; pl. Presidencies. Etym: [Cf. F. présidence.]
1. The function or condition of one who presides; superintendence; control and care.
2. The office of president; as, Washington was elected to the presidency.
3. The term during which a president holds his office; as, during the presidency of Madison.
4. One of the three great divisions of British India, the Bengal, Madras, and Bombay Presidencies, each of which had a council of which its governor was president.