absence

Noun

• 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

• the time interval during which something or somebody is away
  • he visited during my absence
    

• failure to be present

• the state of being absent
  • he was surprised by the absence of any explanation