present
UK[ˈprez(ə)nt]US[ˈprez(ə)nt]
adj
Existing or occurring now.
adj
Being in a particular place.
n
A gift.
n
The period of time now occurring.
v
To give something to someone formally or ceremonially.
v
To introduce or show something to an audience.
Morpheme Breakdown
pre
sent
pre
before, in front
sent
being, existing
Etymology
The word 'present' entered English from Old French 'present', which itself derived from Latin 'praesens', the present participle of 'praeesse' meaning 'to be before, to be at hand'. The Latin term is a compound of 'prae-' ('before') and 'esse' ('to be'), conveying the core idea of 'being in front' or 'being here'. This literal sense of spatial presence evolved to denote temporal presence ('existing now') and, through the custom of ceremoniously placing a gift before someone, acquired the meaning of a thing given. The verb form developed from the act of causing someone or something 'to be before' another.
Analysis
Structure: pre (before, in front) + sent (being, existing)
'pre-' is a prefix from Latin 'prae-', meaning 'before' or 'in front of'. '-sent' is from the Latin verb 'esse', meaning 'to be', via its present participle form 'sens-' (being).
Examples
All the board members were present at the meeting.
She received a beautiful present for her birthday.
The CEO will present the annual awards this evening.