in absentia

Definition

While not present; while absent

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Latin in absentia (“in absence”).

Example Sentences

• "The defendant was convicted in absentia after fleeing during the trial."
• "The first chancellor of West Germany, Conrad Adenauer […] continued to keep Hans Globke as his secretary of the chancellery despite protests. […] Even after an East German court indicted Globke in absentia in 1950, Adenauer would not budge."
• "Since then, the ex-minister has been in absentia, likely relaxing on his private yacht."