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. présent. 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. présenter, 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.