present: Meaning and Definition of
pres•ent
Pronunciation: (prez'unt), [key]
— adj.
- being, existing, or occurring at this time or now; current: the present ruler.
- at this time; at hand; immediate: articles for present use.
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- noting an action or state occurring at the moment of speaking. Knows is a present form in He knows that.
- noting or pertaining to a tense or other verb formation with such meaning.
- being with one or others or in the specified or understood place: to be present at the wedding.
- being here: Is everyone present?
- existing or occurring in a place, thing, combination, or the like: Carbon is present in many minerals.
- being actually here or under consideration: the present document; the present topic.
- being before the mind.
- mentally alert and calm, esp. in emergencies.
- immediate or instant.
—n.
- the present time.
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- the present tense.
- a verb formation or construction with present meaning.
- a form in the present.
- 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.
- the matter in hand.
- at the present time or moment; now: There are no job openings here at present.
- for now; temporarily: For the present, we must be content with matters as they stand.
pre•sent
Pronunciation: (v.pri-zent'n.prez'&schwant), [key]
— v.t.
- to furnish or endow with a gift or the like, esp. by formal act: to present someone with a gold watch.
- to bring, offer, or give, often in a formal or ceremonious way: to present one's card.
- afford or furnish (an opportunity, possibility, etc.).
- to hand over or submit, as a bill or a check, for payment: The waiter presented our bill for lunch.
- to introduce (a person) to another, esp. in a formal manner: Mrs. Smith, may I present Mr. Jones?
- to bring before or introduce to the public: to present a new play.
- to come to show (oneself&hasp;) before a person, in or at a place, etc.
- to show or exhibit: This theater will present films on a larger screen.
- to bring forth or render for or before another or others; offer for consideration: to present an alternative plan.
- to set forth in words; frame or articulate: to present arguments.
- to represent, impersonate, or act, as on the stage.
- to direct, point, or turn (something) to something or someone: He presented his back to the audience.
- to level or aim (a weapon, esp. a firearm).
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- to bring against, as a formal charge against a person.
- to bring formally to the notice of the proper authority, as an offense.
- to offer or recommend (a member of the clergy) to the bishop for institution to a benefice.
—n.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.