Presence
['prez(ə)ns] or ['prɛzns]
Definition
(noun.) the act of being present.
(noun.) the impression that something is present; 'he felt the presence of an evil force'.
(noun.) the immediate proximity of someone or something; 'she blushed in his presence'; 'he sensed the presence of danger'; 'he was well behaved in front of company'.
(noun.) an invisible spiritual being felt to be nearby.
(noun.) the state of being present; current existence; 'he tested for the presence of radon'.
Inputed by Barnard--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) The state of being present, or of being within sight or call, or at hand; -- opposed to absence.
(n.) 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.
(n.) Specifically, neighborhood to the person of one of superior of exalted rank; also, presence chamber.
(n.) The whole of the personal qualities of an individual; person; personality; especially, the person of a superior, as a sovereign.
(n.) An assembly, especially of person of rank or nobility; noble company.
(n.) Port, mien; air; personal appearence.
Inputed by Cornelia
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Mien, air, carriage, port, demeanor, behavior.
Editor: Lora
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Nearness, influence, intercourse, closeness
ANT:Remoteness, absence, separation, distance
Edited by Elise
Definition
n. state of being present—opp. of Absence: situation near or within sight &c. companionship: approach face to face: nearness to the person of a superior: an assembly of great persons: mien: personal appearance: an apparition: calmness readiness as of mind: (Shak.) a presence-chamber.—ns. Pres′ence-cham′ber -room the chamber or room in which a great personage receives company.—adj. Pres′ent being in a certain place—opp. to Absent: now under view or consideration: being at this time: not past or future: ready at hand: attentive: not absent-minded: (gram.) denoting time just now or making a general statement.—n. present time or business: (pl.) the writing of a letter or a deed of any kind as actually shown at any time: any deed or writing.—adj. Prēsen′tial having or implying actual presence.—n. Prēsential′ity.—adv. Prēsen′tially.—n. Pres′entness state of being present.—Presence of mind a state of mind which enables a person to speak or act with calmness and promptness in circumstances of great and sudden difficulties.—At present at the present time now; Real presence a doctrine or belief that the body and blood of Christ are really and substantially present in the eucharist; The present the present time.
Checked by Dolores
Examples
- He wondered at her, knowing she was aware of his presence. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- He sat down, a little disconcerted by my presence, I thought, and without looking at me, drew his heavy sunburnt hand across and across his upper lip. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- He does not flatter women, but he is patient with them, and he seems to be easy in their presence, and to find their company genial. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Twemlow has just presence of mind enough to say aloud: 'Very like! Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Tease calmness of manner and presence of mind! Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- Her hands lay on the paddle like slumber, she only wanted to see him, like a crystal shadow, to feel his essential presence. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- He sought her presence more and more, and at last with a frequency that attested it had become to him an indispensable stimulus. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Why, as to the spelling of it,' returned Mr Boffin, with great presence of mind, 'that's YOUR look out. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- And I am glad to speak,' pursued the boy, 'in presence of Mr Lightwood, because it was through Mr Lightwood that you ever saw my sister. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Miss Steele was the least discomposed of the three, by their presence; and it was in their power to reconcile her to it entirely. Jane Austen. Sense and Sensibility.
- He would be a bold man who felt no fear in the presence of that lady, answered Crispin, his face clearing again. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- Any presence but that of the nurses was a strain and an effort to him now. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- I never remember feeling the presence of the lawyer to be more unwelcome than I felt it at that moment. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- Warren was not aware of his presence, but probably supposed it was the cavalry which Merritt had engaged earlier in the day. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- Having had his face put under the pump, and dried upon Mrs. Mann's gown, he was led into the awful presence of Mr. Bumble, the beadle. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- In the library, in spite of weightier presences, Lawrence Lefferts predominated. Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
Inputed by Giles