A'bsent. adj. [absens, Lat.]

1. Not present; used with the particle from.

   In spring the fields, in autumn hills I love;
   At morn the plains, at noon the shady grove;
   But Delia always; absent from her fight,
   Nor plains at morn, nor groves at noon delight. Pope's Past.

   Where there is advantage to be given,
   Both more and less have given him the revolt;
   And none serve with him but constrained things,
   Whole hearts are absent too. Shakespeare's Macbeth.

   Whether they were absent or present, they were vexed alike. Wisd. xi. 11.

2. Absent in mind, inattentive; regardless of the present object.

   I distinguish a man that is absent, because he thinks of something else, from him that is absent, because he thinks of nothing. Addison, Spectator, № 77.