Collins English-English Dictionary

present ['prεz^ənt]

1. 1. adj [prenominal] in existence at the moment in time at which an utterance is spoken or written

2. 2. adj [postpositive] being in a specified place, thing, etc

   the murderer is present in this room

3. 3. adj [prenominal] now in consideration or under discussion

   the present topic

   the present author

4. 4. adj [grammar] denoting a tense of verbs used when the action or event described is occurring at the time of utterance or when the speaker does not wish to make any explicit temporal reference

5. 5. adj [Archaic] readily available; instant

   present help is at hand

6. 6. adj [Archaic] mentally alert; attentive

7. 7. n [grammar] the present tense

8. 8. n a verb in this tense

9. 9. n See also presents

10. 10. n [Etymology] C13: from Latin praesens, from praeesse to be in front of, from prae- before, in front + esse to be

present

1. 1. vb [mainly tr] to introduce (a person) to another, esp to someone of higher rank

2. 2. vb to introduce to the public

   to present a play

3. 3. vb to introduce and compere (a radio or television show)

4. 4. vb to show; exhibit

   he presented a brave face to the world

5. 5. vb to put forward; submit

   she presented a proposal for a new book

6. 6. vb to bring or suggest to the mind

   to present a problem

7. 7. vb to give or award

   to present a prize

8. 8. vb to endow with or as if with a gift or award

   to present a university with a foundation scholarship

9. 9. vb to offer formally

   to present one's compliments

10. 10. vb to offer or hand over for action or settlement

    to present a bill

11. 11. vb to represent or depict in a particular manner

    the actor presented Hamlet as a very young man

12. 12. vb to salute someone with (one's weapon) (usually in the phrase present arms)

13. 13. vb to aim or point (a weapon)

14. 14. vb to nominate (a clergyman) to a bishop for institution to a benefice in his diocese

15. 15. vb to lay (a charge, etc) before a court, magistrate, etc, for consideration or trial

16. 16. vb to bring a formal charge or accusation against (a person); indict

17. 17. vb [chiefly US] (of a grand jury) to take notice of (an offence) from personal knowledge or observation, before any bill of indictment has been drawn up

18. 18. vi. [intr] [med] to seek treatment for a particular symptom or problem

    she presented with postnatal depression

19. 19. vi. [intr] [Spoken] to produce a favourable, etc impression

    she presents well in public

    he presents as harmless but has poisoned his family

20. 20. n anything that is presented; a gift

21. 21. n [Etymology] C13: from Old French presenter, from Latin praesentare to exhibit, offer, from praesens present¹