Black's Law Dictionary (2nd edition)dictionaries

Preside

To preside over a court is to “hold” it,—to dlrect, control, and govern it as the chlef officer. A judge may “preside” whether slttlng as a sole judge or as one of several judges. Smith ▼. People, 47 N. I. 334

Source: Black’s Law Dictionary 2nd Ed (1910)