Link Centre Dictionary

abstract

abst·ract

US/ˈæbˌstɹækt/ fairly common
adjective (4) verb (4) noun (2)

adjective

1.

existing only in the mind; separated from embodiment

  • “abstract words like”
  • “and”
  • “'”
Antonyms
Similar
2.

not representing or imitating external reality or the objects of nature

  • “a large abstract painting”
Synonyms
Similar
3.

based on specialized theory

  • “a theoretical analysis”
Synonyms
Similar
4.

dealing with a subject in the abstract without practical purpose or intention

  • “abstract reasoning”
  • “abstract science”
Similar

verb

1.
2.
3.

consider apart from a particular case or instance

  • “Let”
4.

give an abstract (of)

noun

1.

a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance

  • “he loved her only in the abstract--not in person”
Synonyms
2.

a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theory

Synonyms

Origin

From Middle English abstract, borrowed from Latin abstractus, perfect passive participle of abstrahō (“draw away”), formed from abs- (“away”) + trahō (“to pull, draw”). The verbal sense is first attested in 1542.

Phrases

  • abstract algebra
  • abstract analytic number theory
  • abstract art
  • abstract away from
  • abstract class
  • abstract data type
  • abstract expressionism
  • abstract expressionist
  • abstract factory class
  • abstract of title

Related words

Word family

Broader terms

Narrower terms

See also

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.