adjective

1. 1. being at the specified or understood place; at hand; in attendance
   2. 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. Obsolete
   1. self-possessed; collected
   2. 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)

Etymology: OFr < L praesens, prp. of praeesse, to be present < prae-, before (see pre-) + esse, to be (see essence)

noun

1. the present time
2. Obsolete the present occasion
3. 1. the present words or writings
   2. Law this very document know by these presents
4. Gram.
   1. the present tense
   2. a verb form in this tense

5. Etymology: OFr, in phr. mettre en present à, to put before (someone), present, offer, hence a gift

   something presented, or given; gift

transitive verb present pre·sent′

1. to bring (a person) into the presence of, and introduce formally to, another or others
2. 1. to honor (someone), esp. formally, with a gift, award, etc. the mayor presented him with the keys to the city
   2. to provide or confront (someone) with something this presents us with a difficult problem
3. 1. to offer for viewing or notice; exhibit; display; show
   2. 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
    1. to put before a legislature, court, etc. for consideration
    2. to bring a charge or indictment against

Etymology: ME presenten < OFr presenter < L praesentare, to place before, lit., to make present < praesens: see presentthe

intransitive verb present pre·sent′