(with definite article) Something absent, especially absent people collectively; those who were or are not there.

(obsolete, Scotland) An absentee; a person who is not there.

(reflexive) To keep (oneself) away.

(transitive, archaic) To keep (someone) away.

(intransitive, obsolete) Stay away; withdraw.

(transitive, rare) Leave.

(not comparable) Being away from a place; withdrawn from a place; not present; missing.

(not comparable) Not existing; lacking.

In the absence of; without; except.