I. pres·ent ˈpre-z ə nt noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from presenter
Date: 13th century
: something presented : gift
II. pre·sent pri-ˈzent 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 present s 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
• pre·sent·er noun
III. pres·ent ˈpre-z ə nt 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
• pres·ent·ness noun
IV. pres·ent ˈpre-z ə nt 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
•
- at present