What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Present vs Incumbent - What's the difference?

present | incumbent |

As adjectives the difference between present and incumbent

is that present is present (that what''/''which is in the place talked about ) while incumbent is imposed on someone as an obligation, especially due to one's office.

As nouns the difference between present and incumbent

is that present is present tense while incumbent is the current holder of an office, such as ecclesiastical benefice or an elected office.

present

English

Alternative forms

* (archaic or pedantic) *

Etymology 1

(wikipedia present) From (etyl), from (etyl), from (etyl) praesent-, praesens present participle of .

Adjective

(-)
  • Relating to now, for the time being; current.
  • The barbaric practice continues to the present day.
  • * , chapter=12
  • , title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=All this was extraordinarily distasteful to Churchill. It was ugly, gross. Never before had he felt such repulsion when the vicar displayed his characteristic bluntness or coarseness of speech. In the present connexion […] such talk had been distressingly out of place.}}
  • Located in the immediate vicinity.
  • (obsolete) Having an immediate effect (of a medicine, poison etc.); fast-acting.
  • *, II.5.1.v:
  • Amongst this number of cordials and alteratives I do not find a more present remedy than a cup of wine or strong drink, if it be soberly and opportunely used.
  • (obsolete) Not delayed; immediate; instant.
  • * Shakespeare
  • a present pardon
  • * Massinger
  • An ambassadordesires a present audience.
  • (dated) Ready; quick in emergency.
  • a present wit
  • (obsolete) Favorably attentive; propitious.
  • * Dryden
  • to find a god so present to my prayer
    Antonyms
    * (in vicinity) absent
    Derived terms
    * all present and correct * at present * at the present time * present company excepted * presently * present participle * present tense

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The current moment or period of time.
  • The present tense.
  • Derived terms
    * no time like the present * present-day

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) presenten'', from (etyl) ''presenter'', from (etyl) ''presentare'' "to show", from (etyl) ''praesent-, praesens'' present participle of ''praeesse "to be in front of".

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A gift, especially one given for birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries, graduations, weddings, or any other special occasions.
  • * , chapter=7
  • , title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=“A very welcome, kind, useful present , that means to the parish. By the way, Hopkins, let this go no further. We don't want the tale running round that a rich person has arrived. Churchill, my dear fellow, we have such greedy sharks, and wolves in lamb's clothing. […]”}}
  • (military) The position of a soldier in presenting arms.
  • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To bring (someone) into the presence of (a person); to introduce formally.
  • to present an envoy to the king
  • To nominate (a member of the clergy) for an ecclesiastical benefice; to offer to the bishop or ordinary as a candidate for institution.
  • To offer (a problem, complaint) to a court or other authority for consideration.
  • * 1971 , , Religion and the Decline of Magic , Folio Society 2012, p. 71:
  • In the diocese of Gloucester in 1548 two inhabitants of Slimbridge were presented for saying that holy oil was ‘of no virtue but meet to grease sheep’.
  • (reflexive) To come forward, appear in a particular place or before a particular person, especially formally.
  • * Bible, Job i. 6
  • Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the lord.
  • To put (something) forward in order for it to be seen; to show, exhibit.
  • * Alexander Pope
  • So ladies in romance assist their knight, / Present the spear, and arm him for the fight.
  • To make clear to one's mind or intelligence; to put forward for consideration.
  • * 1927 , (Arthur Conan Doyle), The Case-book of Sherlock Holmes :
  • I do begin to realize that the matter must be presented in such a way as may interest the reader.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2012-01
  • , author=Steven Sloman , title=The Battle Between Intuition and Deliberation , volume=100, issue=1, page=74 , magazine= citation , passage=Libertarian paternalism is the view that, because the way options are presented' to citizens affects what they choose, society should ' present options in a way that “nudges” our intuitive selves to make choices that are more consistent with what our more deliberative selves would have chosen if they were in control.}}
  • To put on, stage (a play etc.).
  • The theater is proud to present the Fearless Fliers.
  • (military) To point (a firearm) at something, to hold (a weapon) in a position ready to fire.
  • (reflexive) To offer oneself for mental consideration; to occur to the mind.
  • Well, one idea does present itself.
  • (medicine) To appear (in a specific way) for delivery (of a fetus); to appear first at the mouth of the uterus during childbirth.
  • (medicine) To come to the attention of medical staff, especially with a specific symptom.
  • The patient presented with insomnia.
  • To act as presenter on (a radio, television programme etc.).
  • Anne Robinson presents "The Weakest Link".
  • To give a gift or presentation to (someone).
  • She was presented with an honorary degree for her services to entertainment.
  • To give (a gift or presentation) to someone; to bestow.
  • * Cowper
  • My last, least offering, I present thee now.
  • To deliver (something abstract) as though as a gift; to offer.
  • I presented my compliments to Lady Featherstoneshaw.
  • To hand over (a bill etc.) to be paid.
  • Derived terms
    * present arms

    Statistics

    *

    incumbent

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Imposed on someone as an obligation, especially due to one's office.
  • Proper behavior is incumbent on all holders of positions of trust.
  • * Sprat
  • All men, truly zealous, will perform those good works that are incumbent on all Christians.
  • Lying; resting; reclining; recumbent.
  • * Sir H. Wotton
  • two incumbent figures, gracefully leaning upon it
  • * Addison
  • to move the incumbent load they try
  • (botany, geology) Resting on something else; in botany, said of anthers when lying on the inner side of the filament, or of cotyledons when the radicle lies against the back of one of them.
  • (Gray)
  • (zoology) Bent downwards so that the ends touch, or rest on, something else.
  • the incumbent toe of a bird
  • Being the current holder of an office or a title.
  • If the incumbent senator dies, he is replaced by a person appointed by the governor.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The current holder of an office, such as ecclesiastical benefice or an elected office.
  • *2012 , The Economist, 06 Oct 2012 issue, The first presidential debate: Back in the centre, back in the game
  • *:Mr Obama’s problems were partly structural. An incumbent' must defend the realities and compromises of government, while a challenger is freer to promise the earth, details to follow. Mr Obama’s odd solution was to play both ' incumbent and challenger, jumping from a defence of his record to indignation at such ills as over-crowded classrooms and tax breaks for big oil companies.
  • (business) A holder of a position as supplier to a market or market segment that allows the holder to earn above-normal profits.
  • *2012 , , Sep 29th 2012 issue, Schumpeter: Fixing the capitalist machine
  • *:American capitalism is becoming like its European cousin: established firms with the scale and scope to deal with a growing thicket of regulations are doing well, but new companies are withering on the vine or selling themselves to incumbents .
  • See also

    * ("incumbent" on Wikipedia) ----