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.
Nordo was charged in a 2019 grand jury presentment.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 1, 2022
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
In 1811, a grand jury in the Mississippi Territory forwarded the House of Representatives its presentment specifying charges against federal territorial Judge Harry Toulmin, which set in motion a House impeachment inquiry.
From Slate ● Jun. 9, 2020
“Hopefully," he said, "we can end this with his arrest and presentment before the court.”
From Fox News ● May 22, 2019
Problems of atmosphere, of tone, of textures, as well as the presentment of life in character, action, and attitude, occupy Mr. Partridge's consideration.
From English Book-Illustration of To-day Appreciations of the Work of Living English Illustrators With Lists of Their Books by Sketchley, Rose Esther Dorothea
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.
