Pres"ence (?), 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.
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.
Wrath shell be no more
Thenceforth, but in thy presence joy entire.
Milton.
3. Specifically, neighborhood to the person of
one of superior of exalted rank; also, presence chamber.
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 whole of the
personal qualities of an individual; person; personality; especially, the person of a superior, as a sovereign.
The Sovran
Presence thus
replied.
Milton. 5. An assembly, especially of person of rank or nobility; noble company.
Odmar, of all this
presence does contain,
Give her your wreath whom you esteem most fair.
Dryden. 6. Port,
mien; air; personal appearence. "Rather dignity of presence than beauty of aspect." Bacon.
A graceful presence
bespeaks acceptance.
Collier. 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.
Hear it pronounced