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Synonyms

leave of absence

American  

noun

  1. permission to be absent from duty, employment, service, etc.; leave.

  2. the length of time granted in such permission.

    a two-year leave of absence.


leave of absence British  

noun

  1. permission to be absent from work or duty

  2. the period of absence

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of leave of absence

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Leave of absence given to a student in the English universities.—Webster.

From A Collection of College Words and Customs by Hall, Benjamin Homer

Leave of absence is most readily accorded to them.

From Letters From Rome on the Council by D?llinger, Johann Joseph Ignaz von

Leave of absence, and permission to travel pending acceptance of my resignation, I asked for and obtained before the stable trumpets awoke my comrade from his heavy slumber by the barrack stove.

From The Maids of Paradise by Chambers, Robert W. (Robert William)

Leave of absence for Frau Pohl will be attended to.

From Letters of Franz Liszt -- Volume 1 from Paris to Rome: Years of Travel as a Virtuoso by Bache, Constance

Leave of absence is going cheap, just now.

From The Adventures of Harry Revel by Quiller-Couch, Arthur Thomas, Sir