PRESENCE

presence

(noun) the act of being present

bearing, comportment, presence, mien

(noun) dignified manner or conduct

presence

(noun) the impression that something is present; “he felt the presence of an evil force”

presence, front

(noun) the immediate proximity of someone or something; “she blushed in his presence”; “he sensed the presence of danger”; “he was well behaved in front of company”

presence

(noun) an invisible spiritual being felt to be nearby

presence

(noun) the state of being present; current existence; “he tested for the presence of radon”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

presence (countable and uncountable, plural presences)

The fact or condition of being present, or of being within sight or call, or at hand.

The part of space within one's immediate vicinity.

A quality of poise and effectiveness that enables a performer to achieve a close relationship with their audience.

A quality that sets an individual out from others; a quality that makes them noticed and/or admired even if they are not speaking or performing.

Something (as a spirit) felt or believed to be present.

A company's business activity in a particular market.

(archaic) An assembly of great persons.

The state of being closely focused on the here and now, not distracted by irrelevant thoughts.

(audio) synonym of room tone

Antonyms

• absence

Verb

presence (third-person singular simple present presences, present participle presencing, simple past and past participle presenced)

(philosophy, ambitransitive) To make or become present.

Source: Wiktionary

Pres"ence, n. Etym: [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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition