- present
-
I. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from presenter
Date: 13th century
something presented ; gift
II. verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French presenter, from Latin praesentare, from praesent-, praesens, adjective
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1.
a.
(1) to bring or introduce into the presence of someone especially of superior rank or status
(2) to introduce socially
b. to bring (as a play) before the public
2. to make a gift to
3. to give or bestow formally
4.
a. to lay (as a charge) before a court as an object of inquiry
b. to bring a formal public charge, indictment, or presentment against
5. to nominate to a benefice
6.
a. to offer to view ; show
b. to bring to one's attention <this presents a problem> 7. to act the part of ; perform 8. to aim, point, or direct (as a weapon) so as to face something or in a particular direction intransitive verb 1. to present a weapon 2. to become manifest 3. to come forward as a patient 4. to make a presentation Synonyms: see give • presenter noun III. adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin praesent-, praesens, from present participle of praeesse to be before one, from prae- pre- + esse to be — more at is Date: 14th century 1. now existing or in progress 2. a. being in view or at hand b. existing in something mentioned or under consideration 3. constituting the one actually involved, at hand, or being considered 4. of, relating to, or constituting a verb tense that is expressive of present time or the time of speaking 5. obsolete attentive 6. archaic instant, immediate • presentness noun IV. noun Date: 14th century 1. a. obsolete present occasion or affair b. plural the present words or statements; specifically the legal instrument or other writing in which these words are used 2. a. the present tense of a language b. a verb form in the present tense 3. the present time
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.