Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Absence
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A state of being absent or withdrawn from a place or from companionship; – opposed to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
. Phil. ii. 12.
2.
Want; destitution; withdrawal.
“In the absence of conventional law.” Kent.
3.
Inattention to things present; abstraction (of mind);
“Reflecting on the little absences and distractions of mankind.” as,
. absence
of mindAddison.
To conquer that abstraction which is called
absence
. Landor.
Webster 1828 Edition
Absence
AB'SENCE
,Noun.
1.
A state of being at a distance in place, or not in company. It is used to denote any distance indefinitely, either in the same town, or country, or in a foreign country; and primarily supposes a prior presence. 'Speak well of one in his absence.'2.
Want; destitution; implying no previous presence. 'In the absence of conventional law.'3.
In law, non-appearance; a not being in court to answer.4.
Heedlessness; inattention to things present. Absence of mind is the attention of the mind to a subject which does not occupy the rest of the company, and which draws the mind from things or objects which are present, to others distant or foreign.Definition 2024
absence
absence
English
Alternative forms
Noun
absence (usually uncountable, plural absences)
- A state of being away or withdrawn from a place or from companionship; the period of being away. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.][1]
- Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
- (Can we date this quote?) Phillipians 2:12
- Not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence.
- Failure to be present where one is expected, wanted, or needed; nonattendance; deficiency. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.][1]
- Lack; deficiency; nonexistence. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.][1]
- He had an absence of enthusiasm.
- (Can we date this quote?) - Kent
- In the absence of conventional law.
- Inattention to things present; abstraction (of mind). [First attested in the early 18th century.][1]
- absence of mind
- (Can we date this quote?), Joseph Addison (1672-1719)
- Reflecting on the little absences and distractions of mankind.
- 1824-1829?, Walter Landor, Imaginary Conversations
- To conquer that abstraction which is called absence.
- (medicine) Temporary loss or disruption of consciousness, with sudden onset and recovery, and common in epilepsy. [First attested in the mid 20th century.][1]
- (fencing) Lack of contact between blades.
Derived terms
Related terms
Antonyms
- (state of being away): presence
- (lack, deficiency, nonexistence): existence, possession, sufficiency
Translations
state of being away
|
|
failure to be present where one is expected
|
lack; deficiency; non-existence
|
|
inattention to things present
|
|
medical: temporary loss or disruption of consciousness
|
fencing: lack of contact between blades
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Brown, Lesley, editor (1933) The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, 5th edition, Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-860575-7, published 2003, page 8
Czech
Etymology
From French absence, from Latin absentia, from absēns (“absent”), present active participle of absum (“I am away or absent”), from ab (“of, by, from”) + sum (“I am”)
Noun
absence f
Declension
Declension of absence
Danish
Etymology
Noun
absence c (singular definite absencen, plural indefinite absencer)
Inflection
Inflection of absence
| common gender |
Singular | Plural | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| indefinite | definite | indefinite | definite | |
| nominative | absence | absencen | absencer | absencerne |
| genitive | absences | absencens | absencers | absencernes |
Synonyms
References
- “absence” in Den Danske Ordbog
French
Etymology
From Latin absentia, from absēns (“absent”), present active participle of absum (“I am away or absent”), from ab (“of, by, from”) + sum (“I am”).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ap.sɑ̃s/
Noun
absence f (plural absences)