absent

views updated Jun 27 2018

ab·sent • adj. / ˈabsənt/ 1. not present in a place or at an occasion: absent from school absent colleagues. ∎  (of a part or feature of the body) not forming part of a creature in which it might be expected: wings are absent in certain flies.2. (of an expression or manner) showing that someone is not paying attention to what is being said or done: she looked up with an absent smile.• v. / abˈsent/ (absent oneself) stay or go away: people absented themselves because of his presence he absented himself from the table.• prep. / abˈsent/ formal without: employees could not be fired absent other evidence.DERIVATIVES: ab·sent·ly adv. (in sense 2).