Prĕs'ence, n.
n. [Fr. présence, Pr. presensa, presensia, Sp. presencia, It. presenza, presenzia, Lat. præsentia. See PRESENT.]
- The state or condition of being present; being or situation within sight or call, at hand, in the same apartment or division of space, or the like;—opposed to absence.
- The region in which one is present; the part of space within one's ken, call, influence, or the like; neighborhood without the intervention of any thing that forbids intercourse; approach face to face; nearness.
Wrath shall be no more, But in thy presence joy entire. Milton. 3. Specifically, neighborhood to one of superior or exalted rank; also, presence-chamber. I know not by what power I am made bold In such a presence here to plead my thoughts. Shak. An't please your grace, the two great cardinals Wait in the presence. Shak. 4. The person of a superior. The Sovran Presence thus replied: Was she thy God, that thou didst her obey? Milton. 5. A number assembled before a great person. Othmar, of all this presence does contain. Give her your wreath whom you esteem most fair. Dryden. 6. Port; mien; air; personal appearance; demeanor. Virtue is best in a body that is comely, and that has rather dignity of presence than beauty of aspect. Bacon. A graceful presence bespeaks acceptance. Collier. Presence of mind, a calm, collected state of the mind, with its faculties under control; undisturbed state of the thoughts, which enables a person to speak or act without disorder or embarrassment in unexpected difficulties; freedom from the disturbing or distracting influences which arise from fear or undue excitement of any kind. Errors, not to be recalled, do find Their best redress from presence of the mind. Waller.