Absent Word Meaning

Middle English: via Old French from Latin absens, absent- ‘being absent’, present participle of abesse, from ab- ‘from, away’ + esse ‘to be’

not present in a place, at an occasion, or as part of something

not present in place, at occasion, or as part of something

• most pupils were absent from school at least once
• absent colleagues
• wings are absent in several species of crane flies

(of an expression or manner) showing that someone is not paying attention to what is being said or done

showing that someone is not paying attention to what is being said or done

• she looked up with an absent smile

go away or remain away

go away

• halfway through the meal, he absented himself from the table

without

without

• absent a willingness to negotiate, you can't have collective bargaining