presentment

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an appearance, representation, or image presented to the mind

   The nightmare left behind the vivid presentment of a hostile face.

2. 2
   noun

   a formal accusation made by a grand jury on its own initiative

   The grand jury issued a presentment describing misconduct by several officials.

3. 3
   noun

   the act of presenting a bill or other negotiable instrument for acceptance or payment

   The bank recorded the presentment of the draft before the payment deadline.

From Anglo-Norman presentment and presentement, based on presenter ("to present") plus -ment. General senses of presentation and representation later developed specialized legal and financial uses.

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