AB'SENCE, n. L. absens, from absum, abesse, to be away ab and sum.
1. A state of being at a distance in place, or not in company. It is used to denote any distance indefinitely, either in the same town, or country, or in a foreign country and primarily supposes a prior presence. "Speak well of one in his absence."
2. Want destitution implying no previous presence. "In the absence of conventional law."
3. In law, non-appearance a not being in court to answer.
4. Heedlessness inattention to things present. Absence of mind is the attention of the mind to a subject which does not occupy the rest of the company, and which draws the mind from things or objects which are present, to others distant or foreign.
The King James Bible has stood its ground for nearly 400 years. However, during that time the English language has changed, and with it the meanings of some words it used. Here are more than 6,500 words whose definitions have changed since 1611.Wikipedia
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