prez'-ent-li: The strict meaning is of course "at the present moment," "instantly," and the modern force "after a short interval" is due simply to the procrastinating habits of mankind; hence, the Revised Version (British and American) modifications of the King James Version use of the word into "immediately" (Mt 21:19), "even now" (Mt 26:53), and "forthwith" (Php 2:23). In Pr 12:16, the uncertainty of the meaning (margin "openly," Hebrew "in the day") has led to the retention of the King James Version word.
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Presently
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, James Orr (1915). Public domain, from the CrossWire SWORD module.