Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Absence \Ab"sence\, n. [F., fr. L. absentia. See {Absent}.]
   1. A state of being absent or withdrawn from a place or from
      companionship; -- opposed to {presence}.

            Not as in my presence only, but now much more in my
            absence.                              --Phil. ii.
                                                  12.

   2. Want; destitution; withdrawal. ``In the absence of
      conventional law.'' --Kent.

   3. Inattention to things present; abstraction (of mind); as,
      absence of mind. ``Reflecting on the little absences and
      distractions of mankind.'' --Addison.

            To conquer that abstraction which is called absence.
                                                  --Landor.

Source : WordNet®

absence
     n 1: the state of being absent; "he was surprised by the absence
          of any explanation" [ant: {presence}]
     2: failure to be present [ant: {presence}]
     3: the time interval during which something or somebody is
        away; "he visited during my absence"
     4: epilepsy characterized by paroxysmal attacks of brief
        clouding of consciousness (a possible other abnormalities)
        [syn: {petit mal epilepsy}]