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Definition of present - 18 dictionary results

pres⋅ent

1  [prez-uhnt]
Use present in a Sentence
–adjective
1. being, existing, or occurring at this time or now; current: the present ruler.
2. at this time; at hand; immediate: articles for present use.
3. Grammar.
a. noting an action or state occurring at the moment of speaking. Knows is a present form in He knows that.
b. noting or pertaining to a tense or other verb formation with such meaning.
4. being with one or others or in the specified or understood place: to be present at the wedding.
5. being here: Is everyone present?
6. existing or occurring in a place, thing, combination, or the like: Carbon is present in many minerals.
7. being actually here or under consideration: the present document; the present topic.
8. being before the mind.
9. Obsolete. mentally alert and calm, esp. in emergencies.
10. Obsolete. immediate or instant.
–noun
11. the present time.
12. Grammar.
a. the present tense.
b. a verb formation or construction with present meaning.
c. a form in the present.
13. presents, Law. the present writings, or this document, used in a deed of conveyance, a lease, etc., to denote the document itself: Know all men by these presents.
14. Obsolete. the matter in hand.
—Idioms
15. at present, at the present time or moment; now: There are no job openings here at present.
16. for the present, for now; temporarily: For the present, we must be content with matters as they stand.
Origin:
1250–1300; (adj.) ME < OF < L praesent- (s. of praesēns) prp. of praeësse to be present, before others, i.e., to preside, be in charge; (n.) ME: presence, spatial or temporal present; partly deriv. of the adj., partly < OF. See pre-, is, -ent

Related forms:
pres⋅ent⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. extant. See current.

Antonyms:
1. absent.

pre⋅sent

2  [v. pri-zent; n. prez-uhnt]
–verb (used with object)
1. to furnish or endow with a gift or the like, esp. by formal act: to present someone with a gold watch.
2. to bring, offer, or give, often in a formal or ceremonious way: to present one's card.
3. afford or furnish (an opportunity, possibility, etc.).
4. to hand over or submit, as a bill or a check, for payment: The waiter presented our bill for lunch.
5. to introduce (a person) to another, esp. in a formal manner: Mrs. Smith, may I present Mr. Jones?
6. to bring before or introduce to the public: to present a new play.
7. to come to show (oneself) before a person, in or at a place, etc.
8. to show or exhibit: This theater will present films on a larger screen.
9. to bring forth or render for or before another or others; offer for consideration: to present an alternative plan.
10. to set forth in words; frame or articulate: to present arguments.
11. to represent, impersonate, or act, as on the stage.
12. to direct, point, or turn (something) to something or someone: He presented his back to the audience.
13. to level or aim (a weapon, esp. a firearm).
14. Law.
a. to bring against, as a formal charge against a person.
b. to bring formally to the notice of the proper authority, as an offense.
15. British Ecclesiastical. to offer or recommend (a member of the clergy) to the bishop for institution to a benefice.
–noun pres⋅ent
16. a thing presented as a gift; gift: Christmas presents.
Origin:
1175–1225; (n.) ME < OF, orig. in phrase en present in presence (see present 1 ); (v.) ME presenten < OF presenter < ML praesentāre to give, show, present for approval, L: to exhibit (to the mind or senses), deriv. of praesēns present 1

Synonyms:
1. bestow, donate. See give. 2. proffer. 3. yield. 5. See introduce. 9. introduce. 11. enact. 16. benefaction, grant, tip, gratuity. Present, gift, donation, bonus refer to something freely given. Present and gift are both used of something given as an expression of affection, friendship, interest, or respect. Present is the less formal; gift is generally used of something conferred (esp. with ceremony) on an individual, a group, or an institution: a birthday present; a gift to a bride. Donation applies to an important gift, most often of money and usually of considerable size, though the term is often used to avoid the suggestion of charity in speaking of small gifts to or for the needy: a donation to an endowment fund, to the Red Cross. Bonus applies to something, again usually money, given in addition to what is due, esp. to employees who have worked for a long time or particularly well: a bonus at the end of the year.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To present
pres·ent 1   (prěz'ənt)   
n.  
  1. A moment or period in time perceptible as intermediate between past and future; now.
  2. Grammar
    1. The present tense.
    2. A verb form in the present tense.
  3. presents Law The document or instrument in question: Be it known by these presents.
adj.  
  1. Existing or happening now; current: the present leader; present trends.
    1. Being at hand or in attendance: Thirty guests were present at the ceremony.
    2. Existing in something specified: Oxygen is present in the bloodstream.
  3. Now being considered; actually here or involved: the present subject; present company excepted.
  4. Grammar Designating a verb tense or form that expresses current time.
  5. Archaic Readily available; immediate.
  6. Obsolete Alert to circumstances; attentive.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin praesēns, praesent-, present participle of praeesse, to be present : prae-, pre- + esse, to be; see es- in Indo-European roots.]
pres'ent·ness n.
pre·sent 2   (prĭ-zěnt')   
v.   pre·sent·ed, pre·sent·ing, pre·sents

v.   tr.
    1. To introduce, especially with formal ceremony.
    2. To introduce (a young woman) to society with conventional ceremony.
    3. To make a gift or award of.
    4. To make a gift to.
    5. To offer for observation, examination, or consideration; show or display. See Synonyms at offer.
    6. To afford or furnish: The situation presented us with a chance to improve our knowledge.
    7. To turn or position in the direction of another: presented his face to the camera.
    8. To attach (an antigen, for example) on the surface of a molecule for detection by other molecules.
    9. To offer to a legislature or court for consideration.
    10. To bring a charge or indictment against.
  2. To bring before the public: present a play.
    1. To make a gift or award of.
    2. To make a gift to.
    3. To offer for observation, examination, or consideration; show or display. See Synonyms at offer.
    4. To afford or furnish: The situation presented us with a chance to improve our knowledge.
    5. To turn or position in the direction of another: presented his face to the camera.
    6. To attach (an antigen, for example) on the surface of a molecule for detection by other molecules.
    7. To offer to a legislature or court for consideration.
    8. To bring a charge or indictment against.
    1. To offer for observation, examination, or consideration; show or display. See Synonyms at offer.
    2. To afford or furnish: The situation presented us with a chance to improve our knowledge.
    3. To turn or position in the direction of another: presented his face to the camera.
    4. To attach (an antigen, for example) on the surface of a molecule for detection by other molecules.
    5. To offer to a legislature or court for consideration.
    6. To bring a charge or indictment against.
  5. To hold, carry, or point (a weapon) in a particular manner as a salutation or sign of honor, usually along the center axis of the body.
  6. Ecclesiastical To recommend (a cleric) for a benefice.
  7. Law
    1. To offer to a legislature or court for consideration.
    2. To bring a charge or indictment against.
v.   intr.
  1. To manifest as a part of a disease or medical condition.
  2. To make a presentation.
n.  
  1. pres·ent (prěz'ənt) Something presented; a gift.
  2. pre·sent (prĭ-zěnt') The position of a rifle or other weapon when presented.

[Middle English presenten, from Old French presenter, from Latin presentāre, to show, from praesēns, praesent-, present participle of praeesse, to be in front of; see present1.]
pre·sent'er n.
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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Present

Pres"ent\, a. [F. pr['e]sent, L. praesens,-entis, that is before one, in sight or at hand, p. p. of praeesse to be before; prae before + esse to be. See Essence.]

1. Being at hand, within reach or call, within certain contemplated limits; -- opposed to absent.

These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. --John xiv. 25.

2. Now existing, or in process; begun but not ended; now in view, or under consideration; being at this time; not past or future; as, the present session of Congress; the present state of affairs; the present instance.

I'll bring thee to the present business --Shak.

3. Not delayed; immediate; instant; coincident. "A present recompense." "A present pardon." --Shak.

An ambassador . . . desires a present audience. --Massinger.

4. Ready; quick in emergency; as a present wit. [R.]

5. Favorably attentive; propitious. [Archaic]

To find a god so present to my prayer. --Dryden.

Present tense (Gram.), the tense or form of a verb which expresses action or being in the present time; as, I am writing, I write, or I do write.

Present

Pres"ent\, n. [Cf. F. pr['e]sent. See Present, a.]

1. Present time; the time being; time in progress now, or at the moment contemplated; as, at this present.

Past and present, wound in one. --Tennyson.

2. pl. (Law) Present letters or instrument, as a deed of conveyance, a lease, letter of attorney, or other writing; as in the phrase, " Know all men by these presents," that is, by the writing itself, " per has literas praesentes; " -- in this sense, rarely used in the singular.

3. (Gram.) A present tense, or the form of the verb denoting the present tense.

At present, at the present time; now.

For the present, for the tine being; temporarily.

In present, at once, without delay. [Obs.] "With them, in present, half his kingdom; the rest to follow at his death." --Milton.

Present

Pre*sent"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Presented; p. pr. & vb. n. Presenting.] [F. pr['e]senter, L. praesentare, fr. praesens, a. See Present, a.]

1. To bring or introduce into the presence of some one, especially of a superior; to introduce formally; to offer for acquaintance; as, to present an envoy to the king; (with the reciprocal pronoun) to come into the presence of a superior.

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the lord. --Job i. 6

2. To exhibit or offer to view or notice; to lay before one's perception or cognizance; to set forth; to present a fine appearance.

Lectorides's memory is ever . . . presenting him with the thoughts of other persons. --I. Watts.

3. To pass over, esp. in a ceremonious manner; to give in charge or possession; to deliver; to make over.

So ladies in romance assist their knight, Present the spear, and arm him for the fight. --Pope.

4. To make a gift of; to bestow; to give, generally in a formal or ceremonious manner; to grant; to confer.

My last, least offering, I present thee now. --Cowper.

5. Hence: To endow; to bestow a gift upon; to favor, as with a donation; also, to court by gifts.

Octavia presented the poet for him admirable elegy on her son Marcellus. --Dryden.

6. To present; to personate. [Obs.] --Shak.

7. In specific uses; (a) To nominate to an ecclesiastical benefice; to offer to the bishop or ordinary as a candidate for institution.

The patron of a church may present his clerk to a parsonage or vicarage; that is, may offer him to the bishop of the diocese to be instituted. --Blackstone. (b) To nominate for support at a public school or other institution . --Lamb. (c) To lay before a public body, or an official, for consideration, as before a legislature, a court of judicature, a corporation, etc.; as, to present a memorial, petition, remonstrance, or indictment. (d) To lay before a court as an object of inquiry; to give notice officially of, as a crime of offence; to find or represent judicially; as, a grand jury present certain offenses or nuisances, or whatever they think to be public injuries. (e) To bring an indictment against . [U.S] (f) To aim, point, or direct, as a weapon; as, to present a pistol or the point of a sword to the breast of another.

Pesent arms (Mil.), the command in response to which the gun is carried perpendicularly in front of the center of the body, and held there with the left hand grasping it at the lower band, and the right hand grasping the small of the stock, in token of respect, as in saluting a superior officer; also, the position taken at such a command.

Present

Pre*sent"\, v. i. (Med.) To appear at the mouth of the uterus so as to be perceptible to the finger in vaginal examination; -- said of a part of an infant during labor.

Present

Pres"ent\, n. [F. pr['e]sent .] Anything presented or given; a gift; a donative; as, a Christmas present.

Syn: Gift; donation; donative; benefaction. See Gift.

Present

Pre*sent"\, n. (Mil.) The position of a soldier in presenting arms; as, to stand at present.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : present
Spanish: presente,
German: anwesend,
Japanese: いる
More Translations »

present  (adj.)
c.1303, "existing at the time," from O.Fr. present (11c.), from L. præsentem (nom. præsens) "present, immediate, prompt," from prp. of præesse "be before (someone or something), be at hand," from præ- "before" + esse "to be." Meaning "being there" is from 1340. As a grammatical tense, recorded from 1388. Presently is c.1380 as "immediately," but by 1566 it had relaxed into "sooner or later." Present-day "contemporary" is attested from 1887.

present  (v.)
c.1290, "to bring into the presence of," from O.Fr. presenter, from L. præsentare "to place before, show, exhibit," from præsens (see present (adj.)). Meaning "to give as a gift" first recorded c.1235. Presentable "suitable in appearance" is first attested 1800.

present  (n.)
c.1225, "thing offered, gift," from O.Fr. present, in phrases en present "(to offer) in the presence of," mettre en present "place before, give," from L.L. inpraesent "face to face," from L. in re præsenti "in the situation in question," from præsens "being there" (see present (adj.)), on the notion of "bringing something into someone's presence." Meaning "this point in time" (opposed to past and future) is attested from c.1500.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: pre·sent
Pronunciation: pri-'zent
Function: transitive verb
1 : to lay before a court as an object of consideration <present a complaint> <presented a defense of insanity>
2 : to make a presentment of (an instrument) —pre·sen·ta·tion /"prE-"zen-'tA-sh&n, "pre-, -z&n-/ noun —pre·sent·er noun

Main Entry: pres·ent
Pronunciation: 'pre-z&nt
Function: adjective
1 : now existing present undivided interest in the property> present ability to pay>
2 : constituting the one actually involved or being considered present case>
3 : being in attendance : being in one place and not elsewhere present —U.S. Constitution article I>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Main Entry: pre·sent
Pronunciation: pri-'zent
Function: transitive verb
: to show or manifest present symptoms of malaria>present intransitive senses
1 a : to become manifest presents with erythema migrans, fatigue, fever, and chills> present before 10 months and even one year —H. R. Litchfield & L. H. Dembo> b : to come forward as a patient presented with grossly swollen ankles and large varicose veins —T. E. Greene>
2 : to become directed toward the opening of the uterus —used of a fetusor a part of a fetus present by breech —Year Book of Obstetrics & Gynecology>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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present pre·sent (prĭ-zěnt')
v. pre·sent·ed, pre·sent·ing, pre·sents

  1. To appear or be felt first during birth. Used of the part of the fetus that proceeds first through the birth canal.
  2. To come before a doctor or nurse, as with a medical problem or condition.
  3. To manifest a symptom.

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

see all present and accounted for; at present; for the moment (present); no time like the present.

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