absent: Meaning and Definition of
ab•sent
Pronunciation: (adj., prep.ab'suntv.ab&sylpsent', ab'sunt), [key] — adj.
- not in a certain place at a given time; away, missing (opposed to present): absent from class.
- lacking; nonexistent: Revenge is absent from his mind.
- not attentive; preoccupied; absent-minded: an absent look on his face.
—v.t. - to take or keep (oneself&hasp;) away: to absent oneself from a meeting.
—prep. - in the absence of; without: Absent some catastrophe, stock-market prices should soon improve.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.