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.