Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Presence
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
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. Shakespeare
An't please your grace, the two great cardinals.
Wait in the
Wait in the
presence
. Shakespeare
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
Give her your wreath whom you esteem most fair.
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.
Webster 1828 Edition
Presence
PRES'ENCE
,Noun.
1.
A being in company near or before the face of another. We were gratified with the presence of a person so much respected.2.
Approach face to face or nearness of a great personage. Men that very presence fear,
Which once they knew authority did bear.
3.
State of being in view; sight. An accident happened in the presence of the court.4.
By way of distinction, state of being in view of a superior. I know not by what pow'r I am made bold,
In such a presence here to plead my thoughts.
5.
A number assembled before a great person. Odmar, of all this presence does contain,
Give her your wreath whom you esteem most fair.
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.
A graceful presence bespeaks acceptance.
7.
The apartment in which a prince shows himself to his court. An't please your grace, the two great cardinals.
Wait in the presence.
8.
The person of a superior.Presence of mind, a calm, collected state of the mind with its faculties at command; undisturbed state of the thoughts, which enables a person to speak or act without disorder or embarrassment in unexpected difficulties.
Errors, not to be recalled, do find
Their best redress from presence of the mind.