Middle English Dictionary Entry
absent adj. (& n.)
Entry Info
| Forms | absent adj. (& n.) |
| Etymology | L & OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Not in a particular place, not present, absent; -- often with fro, from; (b) of things, qualities, etc.: absent, lacking, non-existent.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)7.35 : Þe kyng was absent, for he was ȝit of tendre age.
- (1389) Lond.Gild Ret.in Bk.Lond.E.(PRO C 47/var.)42/21 : Who so is absent at þilk masses wiþ-oute verry cause schal paie..a pound wex.
- c1390 Hilton ML (Vrn)281 : We are absent fro heuene in þis exile.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.5181 : Hir fader was absent.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Cl.(Manly-Rickert)E.435 : Thogh that hir housbond absent were anon.
- c1400 Bible SNT(1) (Selw 108 L.1)Col.2.5 : Þouȝ ich be absent from ȝow in body, ich am present wiþ ȝow in spiryt.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.4825 : For ȝe absent, I koude no þing fyne.
- (c1422) Hoccl.JWife (Dur-U Cosin V.3.9)28 : For thy make I thee principally Of al thempyre, me absent, lady.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)3.488 : He lettres bar whan Troilus was absent.
- c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)3196 : Thei were comen alle in present, And non of hem was absent.
- (1428) Doc.in Sur.Soc.857 : Many of ye consell of ye chambre at yat tyme war absent.
- (1434) Proc.Privy C.4.263 : Yf eny of our seid consaillers were absent fro our consail eny day.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)954 : Andronicus..whil that Eusebye absent was..Vsurpyd the pryncehood.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)1782 : Þou dredest, whan þou art from court absent.
- (1455) Lin.DDoc.77/26 : They be absent preching the worde of god.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)257 : As he was absent, his enmyes in the Kyngis hous cried on the Kyng to clepe him ageyn.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.Guy (LdMisc 683)169 : This seide Herald beyng tho absent Out of this rewm.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)187/14 : Sumtyme euery man Is absent to the, but thou art al tymes presente to thy-Selfe.
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)22a/b : He knowiþ sensibil þinges present & absent by here owne material schappis.
- a1425(?a1400) Cloud (Hrl 674)115/23 : Ymaginacion & sensualite worchin beestly in alle bodely þinges, wheþer þei be present or absente in þe body.
- c1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)1768 : Thogh that hire forme were absent.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.IVMass (Trin-C R.3.21)418 : Beware..That loue and charyte be not fer absent.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)186/39 : To the Delytes..that ben absente, thou shalt not gretely desyre.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)51/16 : Grace was absent.
2.
As noun: (a) an absentee; (b) in (the) ~, in absence.
Associated quotations
a
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)131 : And j telle thee j greeue as wel the absente as the presente.
b
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)25/18 : In the absent of her lernyd councell.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)170/39 : Of noo man he shall Say ill in present ne in absente.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- ?a1425(?a1350) Castleford Chron.(Göt Hist 740)22616 : He hight þam gret honur and rent ffor þai suo wroght in his absent.
Note: New phrase for 2.(b)
Note: in his ~
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- ?1482 Rev.Monk Eynsham2768 : For wondyr and meruel of tho thingis makyn me alyenate fro my-selfe and sum-what absent to my-selfe.
Note: Additional quot., sense 1.(a), ?modify gloss.
Note: Ex. of ~ to, see also Yonge SSecr. 187/14.