absents
Also found in: Thesaurus, Idioms.
Related to absents: Absenta
absents
to keep (oneself) away: She absents herself from all meetings.
Not to be confused with:
absence – the state of being away; the time during which one is away; lack: absence of evidence
ab·sent
(ăb′sənt)adj.
1. Not present; missing: absent friends; absent parents.
2. Not existent; lacking: a country in which morality is absent.
3. Exhibiting or feeling inattentiveness: an absent nod.
tr.v. (ăb-sĕnt′) ab·sent·ed, ab·sent·ing, ab·sents
To keep (oneself) away: They absented themselves from the debate.
prep.
Without: "Absent a legislative fix, this is an invitation for years of litigation" (Brian E. O'Neill).
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin absēns, absent-, present participle of abesse, to be away : ab-, away; see ab-1 + esse, to be; see es- in Indo-European roots.]
ab′sent·ly adv.