present

present [prez′ənt; ] for v. [ prē zent′, prizent′]

adj.

[OFr < L praesens, prp. of praeesse, to be present < prae-, before (see PRE-) + esse, to be (see ESSENCE)]

1.

a) being at the specified or understood place; at hand; in attendance

b) existing (in a particular thing) [nitrogen is present in the air]

2. of or at this time; existing or happening now; in progress

3. now being discussed, considered, written, read, etc. [the present writer]

4. Archaic readily available, effective, etc.

5. Obs.

a) self-possessed; collected

b) paying attention

6. Gram. indicating action as now taking place (Ex.: she goes) or state as now existing (Ex.: the plums are ripe), action that is habitual (Ex.: he speaks with an accent), or action that is always the same (Ex.: the clock strikes twelve at noon): see also HISTORICAL PRESENT

n.

1. the present time

2. Obs. the present occasion

3. [pl.]

a) the present words or writings

b) Law this very document [know by these presents]

4. Gram.

a) the present tense

b) a verb form in this tense

5. [OFr, in phr. mettre en present à, to put before (someone), present, offer, hence a gift] something presented, or given; gift

vt.

1. to bring (a person) into the presence of, and introduce formally to, another or others

2.

a) to honor (someone), esp. formally, with a gift, award, etc. [the mayor presented him with the keys to the city]

b) to provide or confront (someone) with something [this presents us with a difficult problem]

3.

a) to offer for viewing or notice; exhibit; display; show

b) to offer (a show, exhibit, etc.) to the public

4. to offer for consideration [to present a plan, opportunity, etc.]

5. to give (a gift, donation, award, etc.) to a person, organization, etc.

6. to hand over, give, or send (a bill, credentials, etc.) to someone

7. to represent, depict, or interpret in the manner indicated

8. to point or aim (a weapon, etc.)

9. to nominate to an ecclesiastical benefice

10. Law

a) to put before a legislature, court, etc. for consideration

b) to bring a charge or indictment against

vi.

present

to come before a physician (with a particular symptom, medical history, etc.)

SYN.- GIVE

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present arms Mil.

1. to hold a rifle vertically in front of the body, with the muzzle up: a position of salute

2.

a) this position

b) the command to assume it

SYN.- PRESENT and GIFT both refer to something given as an expression of friendship, affection, esteem, etc., but GIFT more often suggests formal bestowal [Christmas presents, the painting was a gift to the museum ]; DONATION applies to a gift of money, etc. for a philanthropic, charitable, or religious purpose, esp. as solicited in a public drive for funds [a donation to the orchestra fund ]; GRATUITY applies to a gift of money, etc. for services rendered, such as a tip to a waiter