presence English · revision 3743

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1330|origins=la praesēns}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈprez.ᵊns/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|presens]],^(Barnhart 1988) [[bor|fro|presence]] and directly [[der|la|praesentia|t=a being present, being at hand]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(NODE 1998) from [[m|la|praesēns|t=present]] (accusative praesentem),^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[m|la|prae-|t=before]] and -sēns, a present participle of [[m|la|sum|t=I am]].^(Hoad 1986) It is related to [[present]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The surrounding space, immediate vicinity: about 1330 in Barnhart, and the fact of being present in 1340.^(Barnhart 1988) The OED dates the state of being present to before 1340,^(OED 1989) Etymonline to the mid-14th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Being face to face with a superior or great personage is from the late 14th century,^(Etymonline) and the OED's first example of the phrase ''in the presence of'' is from 1375.^(OED 1989) An assembly or company is from about 1400, now obsolete.^(OED 1989)^(Hoad 1986) The manner in which Christ is held to be present in the Eucharist is from about 1420.^(OED 1989) “Carriage, demeanour, aspect”, especially an impressive one, is from the 1570s,^(Etymonline) or the 16th century in Hoad.^(Hoad 1986) A divine or spiritual being felt to be present is from the 1660s.^(Etymonline) ''Presence of mind'' (1660s), a calm and collected state of mind, translates French présence d'esprit, Latin praesentia animi.^(Etymonline) The quality in recorded sound that makes performers seem present is from 1950,^(OED 1989) and a nation's political or military influence in another country from 1955.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1330 – surrounding space.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1340 – being present.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1375 – ''in the presence of''.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1420 – the Real Presence.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1570s – bearing.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1660s – a spirit felt as present, and ''presence of mind''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1955 – a political or military presence.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The state or fact of being present; existence or occurrence.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Nearness in time or space: ''in my presence''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The area around a great person, especially a [[sovereign]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # An impressive [[bearing]] or appearance; poise.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A spirit or supernatural being felt to be nearby.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A military or political force maintained in a foreign country.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[nonpresence]]

+ * [[presence chamber]]

+ * [[presence of mind]]

+ * [[real presence]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[present]]

+ * [[presentation]]

+ * [[omnipresence]]

+ * [[absence]]

+ * [[essence]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}