presently

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Archived revision by DCDuring (talk | contribs) as of 01:36, 11 November 2019.
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From present +‎ -ly.

Pronunciation

  • Lua error in Module:parameters at line 159: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value British is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈpɹɛzəntli/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Adverb

presently (comparative more presently, superlative most presently)

  1. (now British, rare) Immediately, at once; quickly. [from 14thc.]
    • ~1600, William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 2:
      Polonius: My lord, the queen would speak with you, and presently.
    • The Bible: Matthew xxi. 19:
      And presently the fig tree withered away.
    • Template:RQ:Flr Mntgn 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. Before long; soon. [from 15thc.]
    • 1646, Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica, I.3:
      It […] is the greatest example of lenity in our Saviour, when he desired of God forgiveness unto those, who having one day brought him into the City in triumph, did presently after, act all dishonour upon him, and nothing could be heard but, Crucifige, in their Courts.
    • Template:RQ:Chmbrs YngrSt
      But they had already discovered that he could be bullied, and they had it their own way; and presently Selwyn lay prone upon the nursery floor, impersonating a ladrone while pleasant shivers chased themselves over Drina, whom he was stalking.
    • 1940, Raymond Chandler, Farewell, My Lovely, Penguin 2010, p.55:
      ‘I shall presently be getting a call to tell me of that.’
  3. At the present time; now; currently. [from 15thc.]
    • (Can we date this quote by Philip Sidney and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
      The towns and forts you presently have.
    • 1891, The Welsh Review, No.1 (November 1891). "A Word to the Welsh People." p.1:
      To all of you, therefore, who call Wales your motherland, whether you presently inhabit some other portion of the globe or breathe the air of your cloud-kissed country […].
  4. (obsolete) With actual presence; in actuality. [~1600]
    • (Can we date this quote by Bishop Stephen Gardiner and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
      His precious body and blood presently three.

Usage notes

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

Translations

Retrieved from "https://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=presently&oldid=57981133"