I.one who leaps or dances before others, a dancer in public, public dancer.
I. Lit. (class.), Cic. Div. 1, 26, 55; 2, 66, 136.—
B. In partic., the leader of the Salii, who annually leaped and danced through the city, bearing the ancilia: “fuit in eo sacerdotio (Saliorum) et praesul et vates et magister,” Capitol. M. Aurel. 4.—
II. Transf., in gen., a presider, president, director; a patron, protector, etc. (post-class.): “agri praesul,” Pall. 1, 6: “fori,” Sid. Ep. 4, 14: “praesul creatus litteris,” Aus. Ep. 4, 79; Pall. 1, 6 fin.: “Angerona, diva praesul silentii,” Sol. 1; Mart. Cap. 2, § 160 fin.: “et Junone calent hic arae praesule semper,” Avien. Perieg. 519.
