Definition of "absence"

Not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence.

1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], Philippians 2:12

Harry Kane was an absence in that first half. He touched the ball 11 times despite Spurs taking 62% of possession.

2018 September 15, Barney Ronay, “Finely tuned Liverpool are really getting into Jürgen Klopp’s groove”, in The Guardian‎

Then, in January, a creeping tsunami of train cancellations, triggered by major staff absences as a result of the aggressive transmissibility of Omicron, heaped further misery on rail users.

2022 January 12, Nigel Harris, “Comment: Unhappy start to 2022”, in RAIL, number 948, page 3

in the absence of higher and more authoritative sanctions the ordinances of foreign states, the opinions of eminent statesmen, and the writings of distinguished jurists, are regarded as of great consideration on questions not settled by conventional law

1826, James Kent, Commentaries on American Law

Reflecting on the little absences and distractions of mankind.

1711 June 9 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “TUESDAY, May 29, 1711”, in The Spectator, number 77; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume I, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853

To conquer that abstraction which is called absence.

c. 1824-1829, Walter Landor, Imaginary Conversations