Noah Webster
Absent
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.