not present in a place, at an occasion, or as part of something

most pupils were absent from school at least once

absent colleagues

wings are absent in several species of crane flies

(of an expression or manner) showing that someone is not paying attention to what is being said or done

she looked up with an absent smile

go away or remain away

halfway through the meal, he absented himself from the table

without

absent a willingness to negotiate, you can't have collective bargaining