presidium

[ pri-sid-ee-uhm ]
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noun,plural pre·sid·i·ums, pre·sid·i·a [pri-sid-ee-uh]. /prɪˈsɪd i ə/. (often initial capital letter)
  1. (in the Soviet Union and other Communist countries) an administrative committee, usually permanent and governmental, acting when its parent body is in recess but exercising full powers: the presidium of the Supreme Soviet.

Origin of presidium

1
1815–25; <Latin prae-sidium, derivative of praes(es) (stem praesid-) guardian, governor, literally, one sitting before. See preside, -ium

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British Dictionary definitions for presidium

presidium

praesidium

/ (prɪˈsɪdɪəm) /


nounplural -iums or -ia (-ɪə)
  1. (often capital) (in Communist countries) a permanent committee of a larger body, such as a legislature, that acts for it when it is in recess

  2. a collective presidency, esp of a nongovernmental organization

Origin of presidium

1
C20: from Russian prezidium, from Latin praesidium, from praesidēre to superintend; see preside

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