presently

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Adverb 1.3.1 Usage notes 1.3.2 Translations

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From present + -ly.

[edit] Pronunciation

• (British) IPA: /ˈpɹɛzəntli/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Adverb

presently (comparative more presently, superlative most presently)

1. (now British, rare) Immediately, at once; quickly.
   • 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, Folio Society 2006, vol. 1, p. 219:

     the butler supposing the Wine had beene so carefully commended unto him for the goodnesse of it, imediately presented some unto the Pope, who whilest he was drinking, his sonne came in and never imagining his bottles had beene toucht, tooke the cup and pledged his father, so that the Pope died presently; and the sonne, after he had long time beene tormented with sicknesse, recovered to another worse fortune.

2. In the near future; soon.

   Let me finish up one quick thing, and I'll be with you presently.

3. At the present time; now.

   He is presently working on the Henderson account.

[edit] Usage notes

• Some older usage guides, especially for UK English, object the sense now, though most major modern dictionaries do not.

[edit] Translations