'presence' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'praesentia,' where 'prae-' meant 'before' and 'esse' meant 'to be.'

'praesentia' transformed into the Old French word 'presence,' and eventually became the modern English word 'presence' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'being at hand or in view,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the state of being present.'