(1)不在，缺席(condition of being away or of not being present)[U][N(from)]：one's～from school/classes 某人未上学/缺课;during one's～in France 某人离开此地呆在法国期间;during/in sb's～某人不在时;take over the troop in the officer's～军官不在时把部队接管过来;take sb's place in his～某人不在时替他;Her～wasn't noticed.没有人注意到她没来。His～from work was caused by illness.他没来工作是因为病了。

(2)一次缺席，不在的时间(occasion or period of being away)[C][N(from)]：numerous(frequent)～s from work/school 多次(经常)不上班/上学;After an～of two weeks she returned home.离开两周后她回家来了。

(3)缺乏，不存在(non-existence or lack)[U，an～]：the～of definite proof/other evidence/reliable information/light/heat缺乏确凿证据/其他证据/可靠信息/光/热;the～of noise/mind没有噪音/心不在焉;The～of electricity made work impossible.没有电使工作无法进行。He shows an～of initiative.他表现出缺少主动进取精神。〖同〗lack，non-existence;〖反〗existence，supply;

←′absent adj