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Previous vs Present - What's the difference?

previous | present |

As adjectives the difference between previous and present

is that previous is prior; occurring before something else, either in time or order while present is relating to now, for the time being; current.

As nouns the difference between previous and present

is that previous is an existing criminal record; short for "previous convictions" while present is the current moment or period of time.

As a verb present is

to bring (someone) into the presence of (a person); to introduce formally.

previous

English

Alternative forms

* (archaic)

Adjective

(-)
  • Prior; occurring before something else, either in time or order.
  • * Thomson
  • The dull sound previous to the storm, / Rolls o'er the muttering earth.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham)
  • , title=(The China Governess) , chapter=Foreword citation , passage=He stood transfixed before the unaccustomed view of London at night time, a vast panorama which reminded him […] of some wood engravings far off and magical, in a printshop in his childhood. They dated from the previous century and were coarsely printed on tinted paper, with tinsel outlining the design.}}
    He is no better than the previous Prime Minister.
  • (informal)  Premature; occurring too soon.
  • I thought that I had solved the problem, but I was a bit previous .

    Synonyms

    * former * late * old * See also

    Antonyms

    * future * following * next * succeeding

    Noun

    (-)
  • (informal, UK) An existing criminal record; short for "previous convictions".
  • It turned out the shoplifter had a lot of previous .
  • * November 2 2014 , Daniel Taylor, " Sergio Agüero strike wins derby for Manchester City against 10-man United," guardian.co.uk
  • For that Smalling will have to do his time grazing in the scapegoat’s paddock because his contribution here supplied hard evidence of a player lacking the football intelligence that is needed at the highest level. He has previous on that front and it is difficult to find any mitigation for the way he scythed down James Milner when the first rule for a defender on a yellow card is not to dive in unless it is absolutely necessary.

    Anagrams

    * *

    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

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