absence in WordNet English dictionary

1. failure to be present
   absence 
   
2. the state of being absent
   "he was surprised by the absence of any explanation"
   absence 
   
3. the occurrence of an abrupt, transient loss or impairment of consciousness (which is not subsequently remembered), sometimes with light twitching, fluttering eyelids, etc.; common in petit mal epilepsy
   absence  absence seizure 
   
4. the time interval during which something or somebody is away
   "he visited during my absence"
   absence