definition of the word absence

French, from Latin absentia. See also absent.

• IPA: /ˈæbsəns/, SAMPA: /"{bs@ns/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

absence (plural absences)

1. A state of being absent or withdrawn from a place or from companionship; -- opposed to presence.

   Not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence. - Phillippians 2:12

2. Want; lack; destitution; withdrawal.

   In the absence of conventional law. - Kent

3. Inattention to things present; abstraction (of mind); as, absence of mind.

   Reflecting on the little absences and distractions of mankind. - Addison

   To conquer that abstraction which is called absence. - Landor

• presence

• absence makes the heart grow fonder

• absent

Definition from Wiktionary Content avaible with GNU Free Documentation License

---

2007-2013 © wordbyletter.com

---