AB'SENT, adjective 1. Not present; not in company; at such a distance as to prevent communication. It is used also for being in a foreign country. A gentleman is absent on his travels. Absent from one another. Genesis 31:49. 2. Heedless; inattentive to persons present, or to subjects of conversation in company. An absent man is uncivil to the company. 3. In familiar language, not at home; as, the master of the house is absent In other words, he does not wish to be disturbed by company. ABSENT', verb transitive To depart to such a distance as to prevent intercourse; to retire or withdraw; to forbear to appear in presence; used with the reciprocal pronoun. Let a man absent himself from the company.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI