president
/ˈprezɪdənt/·프레지던트·noun
the head of a country or organization
LatinCEFR A2
Root
pre- (before) + Latin 'sedere' (to sit) + -ent (one who)
Latin praesidens (one who sits before) → Old French president → English president (14th c.)
In a word
pre- (before) + sid (sit) + -ent (one who) = 'one who sits before'. The simple act of taking the front seat in a meeting room turned into the name for a country's head. The same root sed lives in reside (to dwell) and subside (to settle down). A president, by name, isn't the one giving orders — they're the one sitting at the front. That's how Latin defined it.
Examples
The president gave a long speech.
She was elected president of the club.
The president visited the affected region.
Related
residepresideresidencepresidentialsession