from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Present \Pres"ent\, a. [F. pr['e]sent, L. praesens,-entis, that
is before one, in sight or at hand, p. p. of praeesse to be
before; prae before + esse to be. See {Essence}.]
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1. Being at hand, within reach or call, within certain
contemplated limits; -- opposed to absent.
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These things have I spoken unto you, being yet
present with you. --John xiv.
25.
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2. Now existing, or in process; begun but not ended; now in
view, or under consideration; being at this time; not past
or future; as, the present session of Congress; the
present state of affairs; the present instance.
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I'll bring thee to the present business --Shak.
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3. Not delayed; immediate; instant; coincident. "A present
recompense." "A present pardon." --Shak.
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An ambassador . . . desires a present audience.
--Massinger.
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4. Ready; quick in emergency; as a present wit. [R.]
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5. Favorably attentive; propitious. [Archaic]
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To find a god so present to my prayer. --Dryden.
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{Present tense} (Gram.), the tense or form of a verb which
expresses action or being in the present time; as, I am
writing, I write, or I do write.
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