Absent-mindedly
so lost in thought that one does not realize what one is doing, what is happening, etc.; preoccupied to the extent of being unaware of one’s immediate surroundings.
Contemporary Examples
He had his right hand to his face and was absent-mindedly rubbing the scar on his left cheekbone.
Gordie Howe Hockey’s Greatest War Horse W.C. Heinz May 30, 2014
Historical Examples
Mr. Kronborg, quite innocent of her intentions, replied kindly and absent-mindedly.
Song of the Lark Willa Cather
“Oh, she has declared her intention,” murmured Lingard, absent-mindedly.
The Rescue Joseph Conrad
He was playing with his carved ivory baton, absent-mindedly, as if he were conscious of his inferiority in literary matters.
The Confession of a Fool August Strindberg
He had absent-mindedly strayed into the wrong continent and the wrong creed.
A Miscellany of Men G. K. Chesterton
I was first to finish, however, and getting up I absent-mindedly picked up her umbrella and started for the door.
Humorous Hits and How to Hold an Audience Grenville Kleiser
“Possibly,” remarked Pierre, looking about him absent-mindedly.
War and Peace Leo Tolstoy
When Febrer was left alone he took down his gun, and stood near the door for a long time examining it absent-mindedly.
The Dead Command Vicente Blasco Ibez
“84, Cavendish Mansions,” murmured Mr. Hoggins absent-mindedly.
The Angel of Terror Edgar Wallace
“I should think Brown was synonymous with synopsis,” said I absent-mindedly.
Latitude 19 degree Mrs. Schuyler Crowninshield
adjective
preoccupied; forgetful; inattentive
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- Absented
not in a certain place at a given time; away, missing (opposed to ): absent from class. lacking; nonexistent: Revenge is absent from his mind. not attentive; preoccupied; absent-minded: an absent look on his face. to take or keep (oneself) away: to absent oneself from a meeting. in the of; without: Absent some catastrophe, stock-market […]
- Absente reo
in the absence of the defendant. Abbreviation: abs. re. uknown (law) in the absence of the defendant
- Absentee
a person who is , especially from work or school. a person who himself or herself, as a landowner who does not live on certain property owned or a voter who is permitted to cast a ballot by mail. Contemporary Examples But absentee balloting is more vulnerable to fraud, not to mention the vaguaries of […]
- Absentee ballot
the ballot used for an absentee vote. Contemporary Examples Here in Jerusalem, I registered for an absentee ballot with a lovely Orthodox woman under a banner reading “I Vote Israel.” Hiring the Next Chief Rabbi Raphael Magarik October 4, 2012 On an absentee ballot mailed from Camp War Eagle, I voted John Kerry for president […]
- Absentee landlord
a landlord who owns but is not resident in a property. Historical Examples It is supplied by a corporation magnate removed from his audience in location, fortune, interest, and mood: an absentee landlord. The Art Of The Moving Picture Vachel Lindsay The evils of the absentee landlord are not confined to Ireland. The Leaven in […]