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Not delayed; immediate; instant; coincident. "A present recompense." "A present pardon." Shak. An ambassador . . . desires a present audience. Massinger.

At once; without delay; forthwith; also, less definitely, soon; shortly; before long; after a little while; by and by. Shak. And presently the fig tree withered away. Matt. xxi. 19.

practice, a writ issuing out of chancery in cases where the judges of subordinate courts delay giving judgment, commanding them to proceed to judgment.

To put off till to-morrow, or from day to day; to defer; to postpone; to delay; as, to procrastinate repentance. Dr. H. More. Hopeless and helpless Ægeon wend, But to procrastinate his lifeless end. Shak.

The act or habit of procrastinating, or putting off to a future time; delay; dilatoriness. Procrastination is the thief of time. Young.

The act of deferring; delay. [Obs.] Ainsworth.

Done or rendered quickly, readily, or immediately; given without delay or hesitation; -- said of conduct; as, prompt assistance. When Washington heard the voice of his country in distress, his obedience was prompt. Ames.

To defer; to delay; to postpone; as, to proroguedeath; to prorogue a marriage. Shak.

To put off to a distant time; to delay; to defer; as, to protract a decision or duty. Shak.

A drawing out, or continuing; the act of delaying the termination of a thing; prolongation; continuance; delay; as, the protraction of a debate. A protraction only of what is worst in life. Mallock.

Drawing out or lengthening in time; prolonging; continuing; delaying. He suffered their protractive arts. Dryden.

l. (b) To divorce. -- To put back. (a) To push or thrust backwards; hence, to hinder; to delay. (b) To refuse; to deny. Coming from thee, I could not put him back. Shak.

A shift for evasion or delay; an evasion; an excuse. L'Estrange.

In a quick manner; quickly; promptly; rapidly; with haste; speedily; without delay; as, run quick; get back quick. If we consider how very quick the actions of the mind are performed. Locke.

Speedily; with haste or celerity; soon; without delay; quick.

Without delay or objection; without reluctance; willingly; cheerfully. How readily we wish time spent revoked! Cowper.

Fitted or arranged for immediate use; causing no delay for lack of being prepared or furnished. "Dinner was ready." Fielding. My oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. Matt. xxii. 4.

d at stations to be in readiness to relieve others, so that a trveler may proceed without delay. (b) A supply of hunting dogs or horses kept in readiness at certain places to relive the tired dogs or horses, and to continnue the pursuit of the game if it comes that way. (c) A number of men who relieve others in carryin…

Stay; stop; delay. [Obs.] Nor rested till she came without relent Unto the land of Amazona. Spenser.

Delay; obstacle; hindrance. [Obs.] Milton.