[ab-suh
ns] 
| 1. | state of being away or not being present: I acted as supervisor in his absence. Your absence was noted on the records. |
| 2. | period of being away: an absence of several weeks. |
| 3. | failure to attend or appear when expected. |
| 4. | lack; deficiency: the absence of proof. |
| 5. | inattentiveness; preoccupation; absent-mindedness: absence of mind. |
| ab·sence (āb'səns) n.
|
absence ab·sence (āb'səns)
n.
See petit mal.
absence
In addition to the idiom beginning with absence, also see conspicuous by its absence.