present

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“
The word 'now' stands for a particular, namely the present moment; but like pronouns, it stands for an ambiguous particular, because the present is always changing It will be seen that no sentence can be made up without at least one word which denotes a universal.

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Definitions (91)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (30)

  1. noun A moment or period in time perceptible as intermediate between past and future; now.
  2. noun Grammar The present tense.
  3. noun Grammar A verb form in the present tense.
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Examples (50)

  • LA MARQUISE DE FONTENOY IN TWO VOLUMES VOL. I ILLUSTRATED 1900 PUBLISHERS' NOTE The essential qualifications for an author of such a work as the present are an actual acquaintance with the persons mentioned, an intimate knowledge of their daily lives, and a personal familiarity with the scenes described. —  The Secret Memoirs of the Courts of Europe: William II, Germany; Francis Joseph, Austria-Hungary, Volume I
  • His objective point for the present is a high bluff which hems in the valley of the Pilcomayo, and from which a view may be obtained of the river for long leagues upward and downward, as of the deserted village, at no great distance off upon its bank. —  Gaspar the Gaucho A Story of the Gran Chaco
  • The thing might never have happened for any sign from Harry or Dan or Margaret, and Chad began to wonder if his past or his present were a dream How fine this courtesy was Chad could not realize. —  The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come
  • I hope, however, and believe that the war for the present is at an end. —  Diary in America, Series Two
  • My address for the present will be the Arlington House.. Do not take the trouble to ring, I can find my way You will find this way much shorter, sir," Scott replied, opening the door into the southern hall. —  That Mainwaring Affair
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Roget's II Roget's II: The New Thesaurus

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Used in the same context Used in the Same Context

new ·  first ·  general

Used in the same contextWord Family

present:   presenting ·  presented ·  presents
Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary. Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Etymologies (6)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (2)

  1. Middle English, from Old French, from Latin praesēns, praesent-, present participle of praeesse, to be present : prae-, pre- + esse, to be; see es- in Indo-European roots.
  2. Middle English presenten, from Old French presenter, from Latin presentāre, to show, from praesēns, praesent-, present participle of praeesse, to be in front of; see present1.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (4)

  1. from Middle English present, from Old French present, French présent = Spanish Portuguese Italian presente, from Latin præsen(t-)s, present participle of præesse, be before, in view, or at hand, be present, from præ, before, + esse, be: see essence, be, and cf. absent.
  2. Middle English, from present, a.
  3. from Middle English presenten, from Old French presenter, French présenter = Spanish presentar = Portuguese presentear = Italian presentare, from Latin præsentare, place before, show (literally make present), exhibit, present, Middle Latin also give, from præsen(t-)s, present participle of præesse, be at hand: see present.
  4. from Middle English present, from Old French present, French présent = Spanish Portuguese Italian presente, a gift, present; from the verb.
 

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/ˈprɛzənt/
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