Missing, in a way (4)
I believe the answer is:
awol
'missing in a way' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for awol that I've seen before include "On the lam" , "Take unofficial leave (abbrev.)" , "Absent without permission, in short" , "Missing without permission" , "Not present when supposed to be" .)