Not present in a place where you are expected; or not paying attention mentally.
From Latin *absens* (present participle of *abesse*) meaning “being away,” from *ab-* “away” and *esse* “to be.” It came into English through French and Latin.
You can be ‘absent’ even while sitting in class if your mind is somewhere else. The word quietly reminds us that presence isn’t just physical—attention matters too.
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