A.one who sits in the first place, president, Th.8.67; “ἐν δίκῃ” Pl.Lg.949a, cf. PPetr.3p.44(iii B.C.): metaph., “ὁ τῆς μαντείας π. ἀετός” Arist.HA601b2.
II. at Athens, in pl., presiding officers of the βουλή or ἐκκλησία, Lex ap. D.24.21, Aeschin.2.65, Arist.Ath.44.2; “οἱ λαχόντες π.” IG22.779.11, 1227.23, al.; “τοὺς π. οἳ ἂν λάχωσι προεδρεύειν” SIG158.5 (iv B.C.), etc.; similar officers at Mytilene, Th.3.25; “ὁ τῶν Αἰτωλῶν π.” App.Mac.9.1; “μέλλοντος τοῦ π. τὸν δῆμον ἐπερωτᾶν” Plu.Arist.3, cf. “ἐπιψηφίζω” 1.2; π. Ἑρμοῦ πόλεως city councillors of Hermupolis, BGU1027 i 10(iv A.D.).