from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Presence \Pres"ence\, n. [F. pr['e]sence, L. praesentia. See
{Present}.]
1. The state of being present, or of being within sight or
call, or at hand; -- opposed to absence.
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2. The place in which one is present; the part of space
within one's ken, call, influence, etc.; neighborhood
without the intervention of anything that forbids
intercourse.
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Wrath shell be no more
Thenceforth, but in thy presence joy entire.
--Milton.
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3. Specifically, neighborhood to the person of one of
superior of exalted rank; also, presence chamber.
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In such a presence here to plead my thoughts.
--Shak.
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An't please your grace, the two great cardinals.
Wait in the presence. --Shak.
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4. The whole of the personal qualities of an individual;
person; personality; especially, the person of a superior,
as a sovereign.
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The Sovran Presence thus replied. --Milton.
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5. An assembly, especially of person of rank or nobility;
noble company.
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Odmar, of all this presence does contain,
Give her your wreath whom you esteem most fair.
--Dryden.
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6. Port, mien; air; personal appearence. "Rather dignity of
presence than beauty of aspect." --Bacon.
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A graceful presence bespeaks acceptance. -- Collier.
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{Presence chamber}, or {Presence room}, the room in which a
great personage receives company. --Addison. " Chambers of
presence." --Bacon.
{Presence of mind}, that state of the mind in which all its
faculties are alert, prompt, and acting harmoniously in
obedience to the will, enabling one to reach, as it were
spontaneously or by intuition, just conclusions in sudden
emergencies.
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