absence
noun
fact of not being present
ADJ. lengthy, long, prolonged | brief, temporary | unauthorized
QUANT. period, spell You will not be paid for the full period of absence.
PREP. during/in sb's ~ (= while sb is not there) My father did all the cooking in my mother's absence.| ~ from absence from work
PHRASES conspicuous/notable by your absence (= very obviously absent when you ought to be present) When it came to clearing up afterwards, Anne was conspicuous by her absence.| leave of absence (= permission to be absent) He asked for leave of absence from the army.
lack
ADJ. complete, total | virtual | conspicuous, notable a conspicuous absence of evidence
PREP. in the ~ of In the absence of stone, most houses in the area are built of wood.
