absence

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Contents

English [edit]

Alternative forms [edit]

Etymology [edit]

From Middle English absence, from Old French absence, ausence, from Latin absentia, from absēns (absent), present active participle of absum (I am away or absent), from ab (from, away from) + sum (I am).

Pronunciation [edit]

  • (US) IPA: /ˈæb.sn̩s/, /ˈæb.sn̩ts/, X-SAMPA: /"{bs@ns/, /"{bs@nts/
  • (file)

Noun [edit]

absence (usually uncountable; plural absences)

  1. A state of being away or withdrawn from a place or from companionship; the period of being away.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]
    • (Can we date this quote?) Phillippians 2:12
      Not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence.
  2. Failure to be present where one is expected, wanted, or needed; nonattendence; deficiency. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.][1]
    • (Can we date this quote?) - Kent
      In the absence of conventional law.
    He had an absence of enthusiasm.
  3. Lack; deficiency; nonexistence. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.][1]
  4. 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
      Reflecting on the little absences and distractions of mankind.
    • (Can we date this quote?) - Landor
      To conquer that abstraction which is called absence.
  5. (medicine) Temporary loss or disruption of consciousness, with sudden onset and recovery, and common in epilepsy. [First attested in the mid 20th century.][1]
  6. (fencing) Lack of contact between blades.

Antonyms [edit]

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Derived terms [edit]

Related terms [edit]

Translations [edit]

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References [edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 2003 [1933], Brown, Lesley editor, The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, edition 5th, Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-860575-7, page 8:

Czech [edit]

Etymology [edit]

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 [edit]

absence f

  1. absence

French [edit]

Etymology [edit]

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 [edit]

Noun [edit]

absence f (plural absences)

  1. absence (state of being absent or withdrawn).

Middle English [edit]

Etymology [edit]

From Old French absent, 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 [edit]

absence (plural absences)

  1. absent

Related terms [edit]

References [edit]

  • 1954 [First published 1891], Francis Henry Stratmann; Henry Bradley, A Dictionary of Middle English[1], London: Oxford University Press: