Ab"sent (#), a. [F., fr. absens, absentis, p. pr. of abesse to be away from; ab + esse to be. Cf. Sooth.]

1.

Being away from a place; withdrawn from a place; not present.

"Expecting absent friends."

Shak.

2.

Not existing; lacking; as, the part was rudimental or absent.

3.

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.

 

© Webster 1913.


Ab*sent" (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Absented; p. pr. & vb. n. Absenting.] [Cf. F. absenter.]

1.

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.

2.

To withhold from being present.

[Obs.] "Go; for thy stay, not free, absents thee more."

Milton.

 

© Webster 1913.

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