n. [ F. présence, L. praesentia. See Present. ] 1. The state of being present, or of being within sight or call, or at hand; -- opposed to absence. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. 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. [ 1913 Webster ] Wrath shell be no more
Thenceforth, but in thy presence joy entire. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Specifically, neighborhood to the person of one of superior of exalted rank; also, presence chamber. [ 1913 Webster ] In such a presence here to plead my thoughts. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] An't please your grace, the two great cardinals.
Wait in the presence. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. The whole of the personal qualities of an individual; person; personality; especially, the person of a superior, as a sovereign. [ 1913 Webster ] The Sovran Presence thus replied. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. An assembly, especially of person of rank or nobility; noble company. [ 1913 Webster ] Odmar, of all this presence does contain,
Give her your wreath whom you esteem most fair. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ] 6. Port, mien; air; personal appearence. “Rather dignity of presence than beauty of aspect.” Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ] A graceful presence bespeaks acceptance. Collier. [ 1913 Webster ]
Presence chamber, or
Presence room, the room in which a great personage receives company. Addison. “ Chambers of presence.” Bacon. --
Presence of mind, that state of the mind in which all its faculties are alert, prompt, and acting harmoniously in obedience to the will, enabling one to reach, as it were spontaneously or by intuition, just conclusions in sudden emergencies. [ 1913 Webster ]
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