[adj., prep. ab-suh
nt; v. ab-sent, ab-suhnt] 
| 1. | not in a certain place at a given time; away, missing (opposed to present ): absent from class. |
| 2. | lacking; nonexistent: Revenge is absent from his mind. |
| 3. | not attentive; preoccupied; absent-minded: an absent look on his face. |
| 4. | to take or keep (oneself) away: to absent oneself from a meeting. |
| 5. | in the absence of; without: Absent some catastrophe, stock-market prices should soon improve. |
| ab·sent (āb'sənt) adj.
To keep (oneself) away: They absented themselves from the debate. prep. Without: "Absent a legislative fix, this is an invitation for years of litigation" (Brian E. O'Neill). [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin absēns, absent-, present participle of abesse, to be away : ab-, away; see ab-1 + esse, to be; see es- in Indo-European roots.] ab'sent·ly adv. |
