\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 Being away from a place; withdrawn from a place; not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.
2. Not existing; lacking; as, the part was rudimental or
   absent.
3. Inattentive to what is passing; absent-minded;
   preoccupied; as, an absent air.
         What is commonly called an absent man is commonly
         either a very weak or a very affected man.
                                               --Chesterfield.
Syn: {Absent}, {Abstracted}.
Usage: These words both imply a want 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.

\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.
         If after due summons any member absents himself, he
         is to be fined.                       --Addison.
2. To withhold from being present. [Obs.] ``Go; for thy stay,
   not free, absents thee more.'' --Milton.