present

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
present1 /ˈprɛz(ə)nt/

▶adjective

• 1 being or occurring in a particular place.

• 2 existing or occurring now.

• 3 Grammar (of a tense) expressing an action now going on or habitually performed, or a condition now existing.

▶noun

• 1 (usu. the present) the period of time now occurring.

• 2 Grammar a present tense or form of a verb.

– phrases
at present now.
for the present for now; temporarily.
the present day the present; now. [as modifier] present-day technological developments.
these presents Law, formal this document.

– origin ME: via OFr. from L. praesent- ‘being at hand’, pres. part. of praeesse, from prae ‘before’ + esse ‘be’.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
present2 /prɪˈzɛnt/

▶verb

• 1 give formally or ceremonially.

  ■ (present someone with) give (something) to someone in such a way.

  ■ offer for acceptance or consideration.

• 2 formally introduce to someone.

  ■ (present oneself) appear formally before others.

  ■ (present someone to) (in church use) recommend an ordained minister to a bishop for institution to (a benefice).

• 3 put (a show or exhibition) before the public.

  ■ introduce and appear in (a television or radio show).

• 4 be the cause of (a problem or difficulty).

  ■ exhibit (a particular appearance) to others.

  ■ represent to others in a particular way.

  ■ (present itself) (of an opportunity or idea) occur and be available for use or exploitation.

  ■ (present with) Medicine come forward for medical examination for a particular condition or symptom.

  ■ Medicine (of an illness) manifest itself.

• 5 Medicine (of a part of a fetus) be directed towards the cervix during labour.

• 6 aim (a firearm) at something so as to be ready to fire.

▶noun (the present) the position of a firearm when aimed or held ready to be aimed.

– phrases
present arms hold a rifle vertically in front of the body as a salute.

– origin ME: from OFr. presenter, from L. praesentare ‘place before’, from praesent- (see present1).

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
present3 /ˈprɛz(ə)nt/

▶noun a thing given to someone as a gift.

– origin ME: from OFr., orig. in the phr. mettre une chose en present à quelqu'un ‘put a thing into the presence of a person’.