adj. & v.
adj. 1 a not present. b (foll. by from) not present at or in. 2 not existing. 3 inattentive to the matter in hand.
v.refl. 1 stay away. 2 withdraw. absently adv. (in sense 3 of adj.).
[ ME ult. f. L absent- pres. part. of abesse be absent ]