presentnessn.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 258/1 Presentnesse, presence.

1571 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Psalmes of Dauid with Comm. (xxiv. 8) It was a presentnesse of his power and grace.

a1613 T. Overbury Obseruations Xvii. Prouinces (1626) 28 The presentnesse of danger inflames their courage.

1730 J. Robertson Καινα και Παλαια v. 82 Here we are to notice... The Presentness of this Comfort.

1857 T. Parker Prayers (1862) 54 O thou Infinite Spirit, who thyself art perpetual presentness,..who hast thy dwelling-place in every little flower that blooms.

1900 Mod. Lang. Notes 15 123/1 The prime object of the whole work is to offer this body of poets to us endowed with a presentness, an actuality that shall be strong.

1977 Theology 80 192 God's action (and hence presentness) in the historic life and continuing influence named when we say ‘Jesus Christ’.

2004 N.Y. Sun (Nexis) 20 May 1 Even in Modigliani's carvings..warmth and presentness win out over impersonality and otherness.

1598 F. Meres tr. Luis de Granada Deuotion vii. 66 She standeth before her Lady with great grauitye, with presentnes of minde, and orderly composition of body, making neither losse nor delay in her worke.

1633 Swed. Intelligencer III. 43 And that the presentnesse of the kings iudgement, was approoved in it.

a1653 H. Binning Serm. (1845) 310 Do you either listen and apply your hearts to a presentness in hearing.

1664 N. Ingelo Bentivolio & Urania: 2nd Pt. v. 55 He had such an undaunted Presentness of a prepared Mind.

1703 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion II. viii. 427 Goring had..a much keener Courage, and presentness of Mind in danger.

a1711 R. Bulstrode Mem. Reign Charles I & Charles II (1721) 149 There was much Difference betwixt the Presentness of his Mind in a sudden Attempt..and of an Enterprize which required Deliberation and Patience.

1735 H. Binning Wks. 421 Do ye either listen and apply your hearts to a presentness in hearing?

1760 Ann. Reg. 1759 Characters 312/2 He had all the advantages that nature and art, and an excellent education could give him; which, with a great confidence and presentness of mind, buoyed him up against all those prejudices and disadvantages.

1800 T. Browne Union Dict. (at cited word) Presentness, presence of mind, quickness at emergencies.

1616 G. Markham tr. C. Estienne et al. Maison Rustique (rev. ed.) i. xxviii. 131 Not after, but euen in the instant and presentnesse of time.

a1658 J. Durham Clavis Cantici (1668) ii. 138 He presseth his direction and call, by the very presentnesse, and now of the season of grace.

1660 N. Ingelo Bentivolio & Urania iv. 187 I can see beyond the presentness of this world.

1829 J. Mill Anal. Human Mind II. xiv. 103 Time is the equivalent of Pastness, Presentness, and Futureness, combined.

1886 C. H. Spurgeon Treasury of David VII. Ps. cxliv. 1 It has also a presentness about it, for Jehovah is now his strength, and is still teaching him.

1894 Atlantic Monthly Oct. 519/1 If your afternoon tea emphasizes anything, the hour, the intimacy of the people meeting, the presentness of the date, [etc.].

1941 F. Matthiessen Amer. Renaissance XIV. iv. 654 He did not so often think of the presentness of the past as of the pastness of the present, of its..shadowy extensions backward to the roots of history.

1994 Guardian 15 Oct. (Weekend Suppl.) 39/3 One must ‘confront’ a family with the presentness rather than the pastness of their behaviour.