ˈabsən(t)s noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin absentia, from absent-, absens + -ia
1. : state of being absent or missing from a place or from companionship : failure to be present — opposed to presence
2. : failure to be present (as in an accustomed place) or where one is needed, wanted, or normally expected
frequent absences from a job
drawings executed with absence of detail
a noticeable absence of enthusiasm for his task
: nonattendance
absence from school
: nonappearance
called on to speak in his brother's absence
: deficiency
the absence of trained leaders
3. : inattention to things present
absence of mind
4. : transient loss or impairment of consciousness beginning and ending abruptly, unremembered afterward, and seen chiefly in mild types of epilepsy
5. : lack of contact between blades in fencing
Synonyms:
lack , defect , want , privation : absence usually is used to indicate the fact that a thing is not present
absolute liberty is absence of restraint — Henry Adams
in the absence of a force strong enough to challenge the Federals, the towns submitted quietly — American Guide Series: Louisiana
the serenity or absence of distorting passion in classic art — M.R.Cohen
a complete absence of any thinking on fundamental problems of methodology — René Wellek
lack , although often interchangeable with absence , suggests an absence that constitutes a deficiency or falling short
the lack of applause seemed a criticism of her work — Current Biography
he had become impressed by the lack of adequate textbooks in the schools — H.E.Starr
production in other industries was similarly slowed by the power shortage and by a lack of raw materials — Collier's Year Book
the mud and the lack of bridges made travel almost impossible — American Guide Series: Minnesota
defect implies the absence or the lack of something necessary to completeness or perfection
each little fault of temper and each social defect — W.S.Gilbert
defects of understanding based on ignorance and unfamiliarity — J.R.Oppenheimer
those countries which are invaded suffer from the defects of the invader's civilization — Stephen Spender
want implies the absence of something essential, usually indispensable, often, however, indicating something only considered essential and, therefore, coming close to signifying something merely desired
a certain want of confidence in his superiors
the country was going to the dogs because of the want of education — F.M.Ford
war production occasionally suffered from want of hands to tend the machines or harvest the crops — Oscar Handlin
privation in the sense pertinent here (as opposed to the sense of deprivation or destitution) has a use mainly confined to the fine philosophical definition of a negative state or quality in terms of its opposite
cold is the privation of heat
vice may be called the privation of virtue