abstract

 

adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈabstrakt/
  • 1existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence: abstract concepts such as love or beauty
  • dealing with ideas rather than events: the novel was too abstract and esoteric to sustain much attention
  • not based on a particular instance; theoretical: we have been discussing the problem in a very abstract manner
  • (of a noun) denoting an idea, quality, or state rather than a concrete object.
  • 2relating to or denoting art that does not attempt to represent external reality, but rather seeks to achieve its effect using shapes, colours, and textures: abstract pictures

verb

Pronunciation: /əbˈstrakt/
[with object]
  • 1 (abstract something from) consider something theoretically or separately from (something else): to abstract science and religion from their historical context can lead to anachronism
  • 2 (usually abstract something from) extract or remove (something): applications to abstract more water from streams
  • used euphemistically to indicate that someone has stolen something: his pockets contained all he had been able to abstract from the flat
  • (abstract oneself) withdraw: as our relationship deepened you seemed to abstract yourself
  • 3make a written summary of (an article or book): staff who abstract material for an online database

noun

Pronunciation: /ˈabstrakt/
  • 1a summary of the contents of a book, article, or speech: an abstract of her speech
  • 2an abstract work of art: a big unframed abstract

Phrases

in the abstract

in a general way; without reference to specific instances: there’s a fine line between promoting US business interests in the abstract and promoting specific companies

Derivatives

abstractly

Pronunciation: /ˈabstraktli/
adverb

abstractor

Pronunciation: /əbˈstraktə/
noun

Origin:

Middle English: from Latin abstractus, literally 'drawn away', past participle of abstrahere, from ab- 'from' + trahere 'draw off'