pres·ent 1 (pr z nt)n.1. A moment or period in time perceptible as intermediate between past and future; now. 2. Grammar a. The present tense. b. A verb form in the present tense. 3. presents Law The document or instrument in question: Be it known by these presents. adj.1. Existing or happening now; current: the present leader; present trends. 2. a. Being at hand or in attendance: Thirty guests were present at the ceremony. b. Existing in something specified: Oxygen is present in the bloodstream. 3. Now being considered; actually here or involved: the present subject; present company excepted. 4. Grammar Designating a verb tense or form that expresses current time. 5. Archaic Readily available; immediate. 6. Obsolete Alert to circumstances; attentive. Idioms: at present At the present time; right now. for the present For the time being; temporarily.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin praes ns, praesent-, present participle of praeesse, to be present : prae-, pre- + esse, to be; see es- in Indo-European roots.]
pres ent·ness n. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | presentness - the quality of being the present; "a study of the pastness of the present and...of the presentness of the past"- R.E.Spillertiming - the time when something happens futurity - the quality of being in or of the future |