Definition of absent

< absence

absentee >

ab·sent    (bsnt) KEY 

ADJECTIVE:

1. Not present; missing: absent friends; absent parents.
2. Not existent; lacking: a country in which morality is absent.
3. Exhibiting or feeling inattentiveness: an absent nod.

TRANSITIVE VERB:
ab·sent·ed, ab·sent·ing, ab·sents (b-snt)

To keep (oneself) away: They absented themselves from the debate.

PREPOSITION:

Without: "Absent a legislative fix, this is an invitation for years of litigation" (Brian E. O'Neill).

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French, from Latin absns, absent- present participle of abesse, to be away : ab-, away ; see ab-¹ + esse, to be; see es- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
absent·ly(Adverb)