absent: Meaning and Definition of

ab•sent

Pronunciation: (adj., prep.ab'suntv.ab&sylpsent', ab'sunt), [key]
— adj.
  1. not in a certain place at a given time; away, missing (opposed to present): absent from class.
  2. lacking; nonexistent: Revenge is absent from his mind.
  3. not attentive; preoccupied; absent-minded: an absent look on his face.
—v.t.
  1. to take or keep (oneself&hasp;) away: to absent oneself from a meeting.
—prep.
  1. 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.
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