abstract

abstract
abstracts, abstracting, abstracted
(The adjective and noun are pronounced [[t]æ̱bstrækt[/t]]. The verb is pronounced [[t]æbstræ̱kt[/t]].)
1) ADJ-GRADED An abstract idea or way of thinking is based on general ideas rather than on real things and events.

...starting with a few abstract principles...

It's not a question of some abstract concept of justice.

...the faculty of abstract reasoning.

Syn:
Derived words:
abstractly ADV-GRADED

It is hard to think abstractly in these conditions.

2) PHRASE: PHR with cl/group When you talk or think about something in the abstract, you talk or think about it in a general way, rather than considering particular things or events.

Money was a commodity she never thought about except in the abstract.

3) ADJ: ADJ n In grammar, an abstract noun refers to a quality or idea rather than to a physical object.

...abstract words such as glory, honor, and courage.

Ant:
4) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n Abstract art makes use of shapes and patterns rather than showing people or things.

A modern abstract painting takes over one complete wall.

Ant:
5) N-COUNT An abstract is an abstract work of art.
6) N-COUNT: oft N of n An abstract of an article, document, or speech is a short piece of writing that gives the main points of it.
Syn:
7) VERB If you abstract something from a place, you take it from there. [FORMAL]

[V n from n] ...a licence to abstract water from the River Axe...

[V n from n] The author has abstracted poems from earlier books. [Also V n]


English dictionary. 2008.

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  • abstract — ab·stract / ab ˌstrakt/ n 1: a summary of a legal document 2: abstract of title ab·stract /ab strakt, ab ˌstrakt/ vt Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law …   Law dictionary

  • abstract — abstráct, ă I. adj. gândit în mod separat de ansamblul concret, real. ♢ în abstract = pe bază de deducţii logice; exprimat (prea) general, teoretic; (despre un proces de gândire) greu de înţeles; (mat.) număr abstract = număr căruia nu i se… …   Dicționar Român

  • Abstract — Ab stract (#; 277), a. [L. abstractus, p. p. of abstrahere to draw from, separate; ab, abs + trahere to draw. See {Trace}.] 1. Withdraw; separate. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] The more abstract . . . we are from the body. Norris. [1913 Webster] 2.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • abstract — adj Abstract, ideal, transcendent, transcendental are closely analogous rather than synonymous terms. The difference in meaning between abstract and ideal is not apparent when they are applied to things which are admirable in actuality as well as …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Abstract — Ab stract , n. [See {Abstract}, a.] 1. That which comprises or concentrates in itself the essential qualities of a larger thing or of several things. Specifically: A summary or an epitome, as of a treatise or book, or of a statement; a brief.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Abstract — (‘resumen’, en inglés) puede referirse a: Abstract (sumario): resumen de un artículo científico (en:Abstract (summary)). Abstract (derecho): resumen de un texto jurídico (en:Abstract (law)). Véase también Abstract Factory (patrón de diseño)… …   Wikipedia Español

  • abstract — ● abstract nom masculin (mot anglais) Résumé d un texte scientifique, d un article de revue. ● abstract (difficultés) nom masculin (mot anglais) Anglicisme Dans une publication savante, résumé d un article, souvent placé en tête de l article lui… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Abstract — may refer to: * Abstract (law) * Abstract (summary) * Abstract art * Abstract objectee also* Abstraction (disambiguation) …   Wikipedia

  • abstract — ab‧stract [ˈæbstrækt] noun [countable] a short written statement that contains the most important details of a longer piece of writing such as a newspaper article, a report, or a speech: • an abstract of the Chairman s speech to the shareholders… …   Financial and business terms

  • abstract — for adj. [, ab strakt′, ab′strakt΄; ] for n.1 & vt.4 [, ab′strakt΄; ] for n.2 [, ab′strakt΄, ab strakt′; ] for vt.1, 2, & 3 [, ab strakt′] adj. [< L abstractus, pp. of abstrahere, to draw from, separate < ab(s) , from + trahere, to DRAW] 1 …   English World dictionary

  • abstract — [adj] conceptual, theoretical abstruse, complex, deep, hypothetical, ideal, indefinite, intellectual, nonconcrete, philosophical, recondite, transcendent, transcendental, unreal; concept 582 Ant. actual, concrete, factual, material, objective,… …   New thesaurus

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