absence
English
/ˈæb.s(ə)n̩s/, /ˈæb.s(ə)n̩s/, /ˈæbsɒns/
noun
Definitions
- A state of being away or withdrawn from a place or from companionship; the period of being away.
- Failure to be present where one is expected, wanted, or needed; nonattendance; deficiency.
- Lack; deficiency; nonexistence.
- Inattention to things present; abstraction (of mind).
- (medical) Temporary loss or disruption of consciousness, with sudden onset and recovery, and common in epilepsy.
- (fencing) Lack of contact between blades.
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English absence derived from Old French absence derived from Latin absentia (absence, being away).
Origin
Latin
absentia
Gloss
absence, being away
Timeline
Distribution of cognates by language
Geogrpahic distribution of cognates
Cognates and derived terms
- absentia English
- absentia epileptica English
- nonabsence English
- omniabsence English
- pseudoabsence English
- absentia Latin
- absēns Latin
- assenza Italian
- absence French
- ausencia Spanish, Castilian
- absence Middle English
- absence Old French
- absència Catalan, Valencian
- ausencia Galician
- abséncia Occitan
- ausencia Asturian
- cence Friulian
- sensa Venetian
- siansa Dalmatian
- sensa Istriot