sabbatical - U.S. designating a period of leave from duty granted to university teachers at certain intervals (orig. every seven years) for the purposes of study and travel; spec. in sabbatical year (cf. sense 2a). Now freq. used transf. of rest or absence from other occupations, professions, or activities., absence non rémunérée ? laquelle ont droit les salariés pour se consacrer ? des activités de leur choix