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presence

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ghostly presence

An unspecified yet palpable and typically somewhat sinister presence, attendance, or existence. Though the country had finally reached a period of peace, the ghostly presence of its violent past hung heavily on the minds of the citizens. The characters never discuss the absent father directly, but this very avoidance gives him a ghostly presence throughout the novel.

See also: presence

grace someone or something with one's presence

Fig. to honor someone or something with one's presence. "How nice of you to grace us with your presence," Mr. Wilson told Mary sarcastically as she entered the classroom late. The banquet was graced with the presence of the governor.

See also: grace, presence

have the presence of mind to do something

Fig. to have the calmness and ability to act sensibly in an emergency or difficult situation. Jane had the presence of mind to phone the police when the child disappeared. The child had the presence of mind to write down the car's license-plate number.

See also: have, mind, of, presence

make your presence felt

to have a strong effect on other people or on a situation Hockney made his presence felt in the New York art world shortly after he arrived there. The rebels have already made their bloody presence felt during the election campaign.

See also: felt, make, presence

make your presence felt

to have a strong effect on other people or on a situation The new police chief has really made his presence felt.

See also: felt, make, presence

presence of mind

The ability to act sensibly, promptly, and appropriately, especially in a difficult situation or emergency. For example, Distraught about losing her wallet and passport, she had the presence of mind to notify the authorities at once . This idiom in effect says that one's mind is present and functioning. [Second half of 1600s]

See also: mind, of, presence