[f. ABSENT v. + -EE.]
1. One who is absent, or away, on any occasion.
1537. in (1691) Blount, Law Dict., Absentees or des Absentees, was a Parliament so called, held at Dublin, 10 May, 28 H. 8.
1724. Swift, Drapier’s Lett., vii. Wks. 1761, III. 134. The occasional absentees, for business, health, or diversion.
1850. in Pro. Am. Phil. Soc., V. 160. Sir John Ross, an absentee of four winters.
1872. Daily News, April 6. Cabinet Council … was attended by thirteen of the Ministers, the absentees having been Lord Halifax and the Marquis of Hartington.
2. One who systematically stays away from his country or home; a landlord who lives abroad. (Often used attrib., as an absentee king.)
1605. Camden, Remains (1637), 189. King Henry the eight … enriched himselfe by the spoyles of Abbayes, by first fruits, tenths, exactions, and absenties in Ireland.
1723. Swift, Argt. agst. Bishops, Wks. 1761, III. 265. The farmer would be screwed up to the utmost penny by the agents and stewards of absentees.
1838–9. Hallam, Hist. Lit., III. III. iv. § 55. 166. The coin of Naples was exhausted by the revenues of absentee proprietors.
1851. Ht. Martineau, Hist. of Peace (1877), III. IV. ix. 36. In 157 benefices, no service was performed, the incumbent being an absentee.
1876. Freeman, Norm. Conq., I. vi. 454. The Norwegians preferred a foreign and absentee king.
