presentment
Americannoun
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an act of presenting, especially to the mind, as an idea, view, etc.
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the state of being presented.
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a presentation.
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the manner or mode in which something is presented.
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a representation, picture, or likeness.
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Commerce. the presenting of a bill, note, or the like, as for acceptance or payment.
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Law. the written statement of an offense by a grand jury, of their own knowledge or observation, when no indictment has been laid before them.
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a theatrical or dramatic presentation.
noun
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the act of presenting or state of being presented; presentation
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something presented, such as a picture, play, etc
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law a statement on oath by a grand jury of something within their own knowledge or observation, esp the commission of an offence when the indictment has been laid before them
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commerce the presenting of a bill of exchange, promissory note, etc
Etymology
Origin of presentment
1275–1325; Middle English presentement < Middle French. See present 2, -ment
Explanation
In the law, a presentment is an official, written accusation of a crime. A presentment is made by a grand jury and formally presented to a court. There are two legal definitions of the term presentment, although they both essentially mean "formal presentation." A grand jury's presentment is done before a trial begins, and it represents an official accusation. Another kind of presentment is a legal demand for repayment. In the 14th century, a presentment was simply an "act of presenting something."
Vocabulary lists containing presentment
"Preamble" and "Bill of Rights," Vocabulary from the U.S. Constitution
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"The Tragedy of Hamlet," Vocabulary from Act 3
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Protecting Civil Liberties, Sections 5–7
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The lay panel is to hear testimony, issue a comprehensive report on what happened, and issue a presentment if members believe criminal charges are warranted, he said.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 27, 2021
Four other officers who were on the scene and had taken cover did not fire their weapons, according to a grand jury presentment.
From Washington Post • Oct. 9, 2020
“Hopefully," he said, "we can end this with his arrest and presentment before the court.”
From Fox News • May 22, 2019
The votes of at least 12 of the grand jurors are needed to return an indictment or to make a presentment.
From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2016
They were not the Black Cross of Germany--a counterfeit presentment of the White Ensign--but the genuine article--the British naval ensign.
From With Beatty off Jutland A Romance of the Great Sea Fight by Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
