Were present?
I believe the answer is:
are
'were present?' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for are that I've seen before include "Unit of land measure equal to 100 square metres" , "Is, in the plural" , "Era (anag.)" , "(They/you/we) exist" , "Exist; square measure" .)