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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Absent \Ab"sent\, a. [F., fr. absens, absentis, p. pr. of abesse
to be away from; ab esse to be. Cf. {Sooth}.]
1. Being away from a place; withdrawn from a place; not
present. "Expecting absent friends." --Shak.
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2. Not existing; lacking; as, the part was rudimental or
absent.
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3. Inattentive to what is passing; absent-minded;
preoccupied; as, an absent air.
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What is commonly called an absent man is commonly
either a very weak or a very affected man.
--Chesterfield.
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Syn: {Absent}, {Abstracted}.

Usage: These words both imply a lack of attention to
surrounding objects. We speak of a man as absent when
his thoughts wander unconsciously from present scenes
or topics of discourse; we speak of him as abstracted
when his mind (usually for a brief period) is drawn
off from present things by some weighty matter for
reflection. Absence of mind is usually the result of
loose habits of thought; abstraction commonly arises
either from engrossing interests and cares, or from
unfortunate habits of association.
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Absent \Ab*sent"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Absented}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Absenting}.] [Cf. F. absenter.]
1. To take or withdraw (one's self) to such a distance as to
prevent intercourse; -- used with the reflexive pronoun.
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If after due summons any member absents himself, he
is to be fined. --Addison.
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2. To withhold from being present. [Obs.] "Go; for thy stay,
not free, absents thee more." --Milton.
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