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.
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.