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Definition of presence of mind - 7 dictionary results

presence of mind

 
Use presence of mind in a Sentence
–noun
a calm state of mind that allows one to think clearly or act effectively in an emergency.
Origin:
1655–65

mind

  [mahynd]
–noun
1. (in a human or other conscious being) the element, part, substance, or process that reasons, thinks, feels, wills, perceives, judges, etc.: the processes of the human mind.
2. Psychology. the totality of conscious and unconscious mental processes and activities.
3. intellect or understanding, as distinguished from the faculties of feeling and willing; intelligence.
4. a particular instance of the intellect or intelligence, as in a person.
5. a person considered with reference to intellectual power: the greatest minds of the twentieth century.
6. intellectual power or ability.
7. reason, sanity, or sound mental condition: to lose one's mind.
8. a way of thinking and feeling; disposition; temper: a liberal mind.
9. a state of awareness or remembrance: The poem puts me in mind of experiences both new and forgotten.
10. opinion, view, or sentiments: to change one's mind.
11. inclination or desire: to be of a mind to listen.
12. purpose, intention, or will: Let me know your mind in this matter before Tuesday.
13. psychic or spiritual being, as opposed to matter.
14. a conscious or intelligent agency or being: an awareness of a mind ordering the universe.
15. remembrance or recollection; memory: Former days were called to mind.
16. attention; thoughts: He can't keep his mind on his studies.
17. Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S. notice; attention: When he's like that, just pay him no mind.
18. Roman Catholic Church. a commemoration of a person's death, esp. by a Requiem Mass. Compare month's mind, year's mind.
19. (initial capital letter) Also called Divine Mind. Christian Science. God; the incorporeal source of life, substance, and intelligence. Compare mortal mind.
–verb (used with object)
20. to pay attention to.
21. to heed or obey (a person, advice, instructions, etc.).
22. to apply oneself or attend to: to mind one's own business.
23. to look after; take care of; tend: to mind the baby.
24. to be careful, cautious, or wary about: Mind what you say.
25. to feel concern at; care about.
26. to feel disturbed or inconvenienced by; object to (usually used in negative or interrogative constructions): Would you mind handing me that book?
27. to regard as concerning oneself or as mattering: Don't mind his bluntness.
28. Dialect.
a. to perceive or notice.
b. to remember.
c. to remind.
–verb (used without object)
29. to pay attention.
30. to obey.
31. to take notice, observe, or understand (used chiefly in the imperative): Mind now, I want you home by twelve.
32. to be careful or wary.
33. to care, feel concern, or object (often used in negative or interrogative constructions): Mind if I go? Don't mind if I do.
34. to regard a thing as concerning oneself or as mattering: You mustn't mind about their gossiping.
—Idioms
35. bear or keep in mind, to remember: Bear in mind that the newspaper account may be in error.
36. blow one's mind. Slang.
a. to change one's perceptions, awareness, etc., as through the use of drugs or narcotics.
b. to overwhelm a person with intense excitement, pleasure, astonishment, or dismay: Cool jazz really blows my mind.
37. cross one's mind, to occur suddenly to one: A disturbing thought crossed her mind.
38. give someone a piece of one's mind, Informal. to rebuke, reprimand, or scold sharply: I'll give him a piece of my mind for telling such a lie!
39. have a good mind to, to feel tempted or inclined to: I have a good mind to leave you here all alone.
40. have half a mind to, to be almost decided to; be inclined to.
41. know one's own mind, to be firm in one's intentions, opinions, or plans; have assurance: She may be only a child, but she knows her own mind.
42. make up one's mind, to decide; form an opinion or decision; resolve: He couldn't make up his mind which course to follow.
43. meeting of minds, complete agreement; accord: A meeting of minds between the union and the employer seemed impossible.
44. never mind, don't worry or be troubled; it is of no concern: Never mind—the broken glass will be easy to replace.
45. on one's mind, constantly in one's thoughts; of concern to one: The approaching trial was on his mind.
46. out of one's mind,
a. mad; insane: You must be out of your mind to say such a ridiculous thing.
b. totally distracted: He's out of his mind with worry.
c. emotionally overwhelmed: out of her mind with joy.
47. presence of mind, ability to think and to remain in control of oneself during a crisis or under stress: She had enough presence of mind to remember the license plate of the speeding car.
Origin:
bef. 900; (n.) ME mynd(e), aph. var. (see y- ) of imynd, OE gemynd memory, remembrance, mind; c. Goth gamunds; akin to L mēns mind, Gk manía madness; (v.) ME minden, deriv. of the n.

Synonyms:
1. reason. Mind, intellect, intelligence refer to mental equipment or qualities. Mind is that part of a human being that thinks, feels, and wills, as contrasted with body: His mind was capable of grasping the significance of the problem. Intellect is reasoning power as distinguished from feeling; it is often used in a general sense to characterize high mental ability: to appeal to the intellect, rather than the emotions. Intelligence is ability to learn and to understand; it is also mental alertness or quickness of understanding: A dog has more intelligence than many other animals. 6. Mind, brain, brains may refer to mental capacity. Mind is the philosophical and general term for the center of mental activity, and is therefore used of intellectual powers: a brilliant mind. Brain is properly the physiological term for the organic structure that makes mental activity possible (The brain is the center of the nervous system.), but it is often applied, like mind, to intellectual capacity: a fertile brain. Brains is the anatomical word (the brains of an animal used for food), but, in popular usage, it is applied to intelligence (particularly of a shrewd, practical nature): To run a business takes brains. 10. bent, leaning, proclivity, penchant; wish, liking. 11. intent. 21. mark.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To presence of mind
presence of mind  
n.  The ability to think and act calmly and efficiently, especially in an emergency.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: mind
Pronunciation: 'mInd
Function: noun
1 : the element or complex of elements in an individual that feels, perceives, thinks, wills,and especially reasons
2 : the conscious mental events and capabilities in an organism
3 : the organized conscious and unconscious adaptive mental activity ofan organism
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

mind (mīnd)
n.

  1. The human consciousness that originates in the brain and is manifested especially in thought, perception, emotion, will, memory, and imagination.

  2. The collective conscious and unconscious processes in a sentient organism that direct and influence mental and physical behavior.

presence of mind pres·ence of mind (prěz'əns)
n.
The ability to think and act calmly and efficiently, especially in an emergency situation.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Idioms & Phrases

presence of mind

The ability to act sensibly, promptly, and appropriately, especially in a difficult situation or emergency. For example, Distraught about losing her wallet and passport, she had the presence of mind to notify the authorities at once. This idiom in effect says that one's mind is present and functioning. [Second half of 1600s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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