absence

B1 Topic:Time
US /ˈæb.s(ə)n̩s/ UK /ˈæb.s(ə)n̩s/
noun Freq #5160

Meanings

  1. 1
    noun

    the fact of not being in a place where you are usually expected

    Her absence from the meeting was noticed by everyone.

  2. 2
    noun

    the period of time when someone is away

    Mark will be in charge during Jane's absence.

  3. 3
    noun

    the fact that something does not exist or is not available

    There was a complete absence of any explanation.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
3 noun · the fact that something... lack
More missingness
Word family
Forms absences
Derived forms absementnonabsenceomniabsencepseudoabsence
Related forms absentabsenteeabsenteeismabsential

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *-o Proto-Indo-European *h₂epó Proto-Italic *ap Latin abder. Latin ab- Proto-Indo-European *h₁es- Proto-Indo-European *h₁ésmi Proto-Indo-European *bʰuH- Proto-Indo-European *bʰúHt Proto-Italic *som~*ezom Latin sum Latin absum Latin absēns Proto-Indo-European *-yós Proto-Italic *-ios Old Latin -ios Latin -ius Latin -ia Latin absentiader. Old French absencebor. Middle English absence English absence From Middle English absence, from Old French absence, ausence, from Latin absentia, from absēns (“absent”), present active participle of absum (“to be away or absen…

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Topics

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