absens Latin · revision 32076

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=ine-pro *h₁es-}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''absēns''' (genitive absentis); third-declension one-termination adjective^(OLD 2012)^(de Vaan 2008)

+ The spelling ''apsens'' is also found.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ Used as an adjective, it is the present participle [[der|la|absum|t=to be away]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(de Vaan 2008) The verb is [[m|la|ab-]] with [[m|la|sum|t=to be]], which de Vaan traces to [[itc-pro|*es-|t=to be]] and [[ine-pro|*h₁es-|t=to be]].^(de Vaan 2008) Cognate with [[osc|súm|t=I am]] and [[xum|est|t=is]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan and Köbler date it from Plautus,^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) who in the ''Mercator'' has a character call absent gods to witness.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It means not present in person, absent, and so in one's absence, often coupled with ''praesens''; it is used especially of accused persons tried in their absence and of candidates standing for office while away.^(OLD 2012) It also means absent in mind, and, with emphasis, though absent or without meeting the other party, as in Plautus.^(OLD 2012) Of things it means elsewhere or non-existent, as Horace's countryman who praises the distant town.^(OLD 2012) Tertullian and later Christian writers use it very often.^(TLL) Church Latin keeps the sense absent.^(Stelten 1995) In medieval charters it describes a holding without a tenant.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of absent gods called as witnesses.^(OLD 2012)^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of a man accused in his absence.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 65–8 BC – Horace of a distant town.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 45–96 AD – Statius of a man absent in mind.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Not present in person, [[m|en|absent]]; in one's absence.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # Of accused persons and candidates, absent from the proceedings.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Absent in mind or spirit.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Though absent, without meeting the other party.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Of things, physically elsewhere; non-existent.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' Of a holding, without a [[m|en|tenant]].^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[absum]]

+ * [[absentia]]

+ * [[praesens|alt=praesēns]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}