Pronunciation: (prez'unt), [key]
1. being, existing, or occurring at this time or now; current: the present ruler.
2. at this time; at hand; immediate: articles for present use.
a. noting an action or state occurring at the moment of speaking. Knows is a present form in He knows that.
b. noting or pertaining to a tense or other verb formation with such meaning.
4. being with one or others or in the specified or understood place: to be present at the wedding.
5. being here: Is everyone present?
6. existing or occurring in a place, thing, combination, or the like: Carbon is present in many minerals.
7. being actually here or under consideration: the present document; the present topic.
8. being before the mind.
9. Obs.mentally alert and calm, esp. in emergencies.
10. Obs.immediate or instant.
1. the present time.
a. the present tense.
b. a verb formation or construction with present meaning.
c. a form in the present.
3. presents, Law.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.
4. Obs.the matter in hand.
5. at present, at the present time or moment; now: There are no job openings here at present.
6. for the present, for now; temporarily: For the present, we must be content with matters as they stand.
1. to furnish or endow with a gift or the like, esp. by formal act: to present someone with a gold watch.
2. to bring, offer, or give, often in a formal or ceremonious way: to present one's card.
3. afford or furnish (an opportunity, possibility, etc.).
4. to hand over or submit, as a bill or a check, for payment: The waiter presented our bill for lunch.
5. to introduce (a person) to another, esp. in a formal manner: Mrs. Smith, may I present Mr. Jones?
6. to bring before or introduce to the public: to present a new play.
7. to come to show (oneself) before a person, in or at a place, etc.
8. to show or exhibit: This theater will present films on a larger screen.
9. to bring forth or render for or before another or others; offer for consideration: to present an alternative plan.
10. to set forth in words; frame or articulate: to present arguments.
11. to represent, impersonate, or act, as on the stage.
12. to direct, point, or turn (something) to something or someone: He presented his back to the audience.
13. to level or aim (a weapon, esp. a firearm).
a. to bring against, as a formal charge against a person.
b. to bring formally to the notice of the proper authority, as an offense.
15. Eccles. Brit.to offer or recommend (a member of the clergy) to the bishop for institution to a benefice.
a thing presented as a gift; gift: Christmas presents.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.