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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Absence, Absens, n. Also: absentis. [ME. absence, absens (14th c.), OF. absence, L. absentia.]

1. Absence; esp. in phr. in (or into) … absence.(1) 1375 Barb. xvi. 594 (in his absens till wer the land). 1385 Rotuli Sc. II. 73/2 (in absens of thair selles). c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 2018 (into the absence of hire lorde). 1456 Hay II. 77/20 (in myn absence). a1500 Bk. Chess 1805 (in absens of the crovne). 1555 Peebles B. Rec. 220 (in absence of my lord provest). 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. ii (in the principalis absence). 1627 Haddington Corr. 155 (in Pollogs absens).(2) c1420 Wynt. viii. 1699 (for his absens). 1549 Compl. 25/29 (the absence of his sone). 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 12 (to supple the regentis absens).

2. Used for absents pl. (See Absent,a. and n.) a1500 Henr. Fab. 942.
The Iustice bad the Court for to gar fence, The sutis callit, and foirfalt all absence 1571 Lanark B. Rec. 56.
To noit … the absens that cumis nocht 1661 Forbes Baron Ct. 229.
The wholl absens is ordained to pey [40/- Scots]