absence

Từ điển Oxford Advanced Learner 8th

ab·sence [absence absences] BrE [ˈæbsəns] NAmE [ˈæbsəns] noun
1. uncountable, countable the fact of sb being away from a place where they are usually expected to be; the occasion or period of time when sb is away
• The decision was made in my absence (= while I was not there).
• We did not receive any news during his long absence.
•~ from … absence from work
•repeated absences from school
see also ↑leave
2. uncountable the fact of sb/sth not existing or not being available; a lack of sth
• The case was dismissed in the absence of any definite proof.
•the absence of any women on the board of directors
Opp: ↑presence
more at conspicuous by your absence at ↑conspicuous
Idiom: ↑absence makes the heart grow fonder

Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin absentia, from absens, absent- ‘being absent’, present participle of abesse, from ab- ‘from, away’ + esse ‘to be’.

Example Bank:
•He asked for leave of absence from his job.
•In the absence of stone, most houses in the area are built of wood.
•My father did all the cooking in my mother's absence.
•Nobody had noticed her absence.
•When it came to clearing up after the party, Anne was conspicuous by her absence.
•You will not be paid for the full period of absence.
•Your son has had too many absences from school.
•a conspicuous absence of evidence
•I was surprised by the absence of any women on the board of directors.