* "abs-": This prefix means "away" or "absent". It comes from the Latin word "absens", meaning "being away".
* "-ent": This suffix means "being" or "characterized by". It comes from the Latin word "ens", meaning "being".
Therefore, the word "absentee" literally means "being away" or "one who is absent".
It is important to note that while the root words contribute to the meaning of the word, they don't always directly translate to the modern usage. For example, "absentee" is typically used to refer to someone who is not present at a specific place or event, not just someone who is generally "away".