Preside
Defined in 3 dictionaries — Black's (1910), Anderson (1889), Abbott (1879)
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
To preside over a court is to "hold" it,—to direct, control, and govern it as the chief officer. A judge may "preside" whether sitting as a sole judge or as one of several' judges. Smith v. People, 47 N. Y. 334
A Dictionary of Law
William C. Anderson · 1889
A judge may "preside" whether sitting alone or as one of several judges.* See Judge.
Dictionary of Terms and Phrases Used in American or English Jurisprudence
Benjamin Vaughan Abbott · 1879
A constitutional provision, prescribing that in a certain court a specified judge shall " preside," does not absolutely require associates to act with the presiding justice in holding courts of oyer and terminer, but leaves the legislature free to change the constitution of the court as deemed expedient, with the single limitation that such a justice shall preside. A judge may " preside," whether sitting as a sole judge or as one of several judges. Smith V. People, 47 N. Y. 330.