absent Meaning, Definition & Usage

verb go away or leave
remove.
- He absented himself
adjective not being in a specified place
adjective satellite nonexistent
wanting; lacking; missing.
- the thumb is absent
- her appetite was lacking
adjective satellite lost in thought; showing preoccupation
scatty; absentminded; abstracted.
- an absent stare
- an absentminded professor
- the scatty glancing quality of a hyperactive but unfocused intelligence

F., fr. absens, absentis, p. pr. of abesse to be away from; ab + esse to be. Cf. Sooth.

Being away from a place; withdrawn from a place; not present. "Expecting absent friends." Shak.
Not existing; lacking; as, the part was rudimental or absent.
Inattentive to what is passing; absent-minded; preoccupied; as, an absent air.
What is commonly called an absent man is commonly either a very weak or a very affected man. Chesterfield.
Syn. -- Absent, Abstracted. These words both imply a want of attention to surrounding objects. We speak of a man as absent when his thoughts wander unconsciously from present scenes or topics of discourse; we speak of him as abstracted when his mind (usually for a brief period) is drawn off from present things by some weighty matter for reflection. Absence of mind is usually the result of loose habits of thought; abstraction commonly arises either from engrossing interests and cares, or from unfortunate habits of association.

Cf. F. absenter.

imperfect & past participle Absented; present participle & verbal noun Absenting

To take or withdraw (one's self) to such a distance as to prevent intercourse; -- used with the reflexive pronoun.
If after due summons any member absents himself, he is to be fined. Addison.
To withhold from being present. Obs. "Go; for thy stay, not free, absents thee more." Milton.