What does abstract mean?

Definitions for abstract
æbˈstrækt, ˈæb strækt; ˈæb strækt; æbˈstrækt for 11-14 , ˈæb strækt for 15ab·stract

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word abstract.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. abstraction, abstractnoun

    a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance

    "he loved her only in the abstract--not in person"

  2. outline, synopsis, abstract, precisadjective

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

  3. abstractadjective

    existing only in the mind; separated from embodiment

    "abstract words like `truth' and `justice'"

  4. abstract, abstractionist, nonfigurative, nonobjectiveadjective

    not representing or imitating external reality or the objects of nature

    "a large abstract painting"

  5. abstractverb

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

    "abstract reasoning"; "abstract science"

  6. abstractverb

    consider a concept without thinking of a specific example; consider abstractly or theoretically

  7. pilfer, cabbage, purloin, pinch, abstract, snarf, swipe, hook, sneak, filch, nobble, liftverb

    make off with belongings of others

  8. abstractverb

    consider apart from a particular case or instance

    "Let's abstract away from this particular example"

  9. abstractverb

    give an abstract (of)

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Abstractadjective

    Etymology: abstractus, Lat.

    Mathematics, in its latitude, is usually divided into pure and mixed. And though the pure do handle only abstract quantity in general, as geometry, arithmetic; yet that which is mixed, doth consider the quantity of some particular determinate subject. So astronomy handles the quantity of heavenly motions, music of sounds, and mechanics of weights and powers. John Wilkins, Mathematical Magick.

    Abstract terms signify the mode or quality of a being, without any regard to the subject in which it is; as, whiteness, roundness, length, breadth, wisdom, mortality, life, death. Isaac Watts, Logick.

    Another fruit from the considering things in themselves, abstract from our opinions and other mens notions and discourses on them, will be, that each man will pursue his thoughts in that method, which will be most agreeable to the nature of the thing, and to his apprehension of what it suggests to him. John Locke.

  2. Abstractnoun

    Etymology: from the verb.

    You shall there find a man, who is the abstract
    Of all faults all men follow. William Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra.

    If you are false, these epithets are small;
    You’re then the things, and abstract of them all. John Dryden, Aur.

    When Mnemon came to the end of a chapter, he recollected the sentiments he had remarked; so that he could give a tolerable analysis and abstract of every treatise he had read, just after he had finished it. Isaac Watts, Improvement of the Mind.

    The hearts of great princes, if they be considered, as it were in abstract, without the necessity of states, and circumstances of time, can take no full and proportional pleasure in the exercise of any narrow bounty. Henry Wotton.

  3. To ABSTRACTverb

    Etymology: abstraho, Lat.

    Could we abstract from these pernicious effects, and suppose this were innocent, it would be too light to be matter of praise. Decay of Piety.

    Those, who cannot distinguish, compare and abstract, would hardly be able to understand and make use of language, or judge or reason to any tolerable degree. John Locke.

    If we would fix in the memory the discourses we hear, or what we design to speak, let us abstract them into brief compends, and review them often. Isaac Watts, Improv. of the Mind.

ChatGPT

  1. abstract

    Abstract refers to a concept or idea that is not physically or concretely present, but derived from concrete realities or experiences. It often relates to thoughts, concepts, or ideas that are theoretical or philosophical, rather than practical. In art, "abstract" refers to a style that does not represent literal or realistic depictions, focusing instead on shape, color, and form. In writing or research, an "abstract" refers to a summary or overview of a larger work.

  2. abstract

    Abstract is a term that refers to a concept or idea which is not physically tangible and often complex to understand. It is a theoretical, non-specific, or non-concrete representation of an idea or concept. It also refers to summarizing or condensing deeper content into a briefer form. In art, the term "abstract" is used to describe works that do not imitate or represent physical reality or specific objects directly.

  3. abstract

    Abstract refers to a concept or idea that is not physically tangible or concrete, but derived from specific instances or occurrences. It is theoretical, complex and often not associated with any specific instance. It can also refer to a brief summary of a research paper, article, or other work, presenting the main points or overview of the content. In art, abstract refers to a style that does not depict a person, place or thing in a natural or realistic way.

  4. abstract

    Abstract refers to a concept that is theoretical or non-concrete, not connected to physical or specific instances but rather denoting ideas, qualities or conditions. It is something that can only be perceived intellectually. In art, abstract means not aiming to depict an accurate representation of visual reality, but using shapes, colors, and forms to achieve its effect. In context of writing, an abstract is a brief summary of a research article, thesis, or a review.

  5. abstract

    Abstract refers to a concept, idea, or theory that is not connected to any specific physical or concrete reality. It is theoretical, intangible, and complex, often pertaining to thoughts, philosophies, or academic constructs. The term can also refer to a summary of a larger work or the representation of something in a simplified or nonliteral way in various fields like art or mathematics.

  6. abstract

    Abstract refers to a concept or idea that is not physically tangible and does not have a concrete existence, typically involving complex or philosophical notions. It can also refer to a summary of the contents of a book, article, or speech. In art, 'abstract' refers to work that does not attempt to represent a visual reality, but rather uses shapes, colors, forms, and gestural marks to achieve its effect.

  7. abstract

    Abstract refers to a concept or idea that's not associated with any specific or concrete instance or material entity. It's theoretical, complex and often not tangible or physical. In arts or literature, it signifies work that doesn't mimic or represent reality, but rather uses shapes, colors, forms, or other elements in a nonrepresentational or subjective way. Overall, it's something that exists in thought or as an idea, but doesn't have a physical or practical existence.

  8. abstract

    Abstract refers to a concept, idea, or term that is theoretical or conceptual, rather than concrete or tangible. It is not associated with any specific instance but represents a broad and generalized concept. Abstract can also refer to a summary of a larger work, containing key points and main ideas.

  9. abstract

    Abstract refers to a concept or idea that is not physically or concretely present or existing but derived from specific instances or occurrences. It is typically associated with art, thoughts, or philosophies that focus on theoretical constructs or notions rather than practical, tangible, or specific examples. Abstract can also refer to a summary or condensed version of a larger piece of work.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Abstractadjective

    withdraw; separate

  2. Abstractadjective

    considered apart from any application to a particular object; separated from matter; existing in the mind only; as, abstract truth, abstract numbers. Hence: ideal; abstruse; difficult

  3. Abstractadjective

    expressing a particular property of an object viewed apart from the other properties which constitute it; -- opposed to concrete; as, honesty is an abstract word

  4. Abstractadjective

    resulting from the mental faculty of abstraction; general as opposed to particular; as, "reptile" is an abstract or general name

  5. Abstractadjective

    abstracted; absent in mind

  6. Abstractadjective

    to withdraw; to separate; to take away

  7. Abstractadjective

    to draw off in respect to interest or attention; as, his was wholly abstracted by other objects

  8. Abstractadjective

    to separate, as ideas, by the operation of the mind; to consider by itself; to contemplate separately, as a quality or attribute

  9. Abstractadjective

    to epitomize; to abridge

  10. Abstractadjective

    to take secretly or dishonestly; to purloin; as, to abstract goods from a parcel, or money from a till

  11. Abstractadjective

    to separate, as the more volatile or soluble parts of a substance, by distillation or other chemical processes. In this sense extract is now more generally used

  12. Abstractverb

    to perform the process of abstraction

  13. Abstractadjective

    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

  14. Abstractadjective

    a state of separation from other things; as, to consider a subject in the abstract, or apart from other associated things

  15. Abstractadjective

    an abstract term

  16. Abstractadjective

    a powdered solid extract of a vegetable substance mixed with sugar of milk in such proportion that one part of the abstract represents two parts of the original substance

  17. Etymology: [See Abstract, a.]

Wikidata

  1. Abstract

    An abstract is a brief summary of a research article, thesis, review, conference proceeding or any in-depth analysis of a particular subject or discipline, and is often used to help the reader quickly ascertain the paper's purpose. When used, an abstract always appears at the beginning of a manuscript or typescript, acting as the point-of-entry for any given academic paper or patent application. Abstracting and indexing services for various academic disciplines are aimed at compiling a body of literature for that particular subject. The terms précis or synopsis are used in some publications to refer to the same thing that other publications might call an "abstract". In management reports, an executive summary usually contains more information than the abstract does.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Abstract

    abs-trakt′, v.t. to draw away: to separate: to purloin.—adj. Abstract′ed, drawn off (with from): removed: absent in mind.—adv. Abstract′edly.—ns. Abstract′edness; Abstrac′tion, act of abstracting: state of being abstracted: absence of mind: the operation of the mind by which certain qualities or attributes of an object are considered apart from the rest: a purloining.—adj. Abstract′ive, having the power of abstracting.—n. anything abstractive: an abstract.—adv. Abs′tractly.—n. Abs′tractness. [L. abs, away from, trahĕre, tractum, to draw. See Trace.]

  2. Abstract

    abs′trakt, adj. general, as opposed to particular or individual (the opposite of abstract is concrete—a red colour is an abstract notion, a red rose is a concrete notion; an abstract noun is the name of a quality apart from the thing, as redness).—n. summary: abridgment: essence. [L. abstractus, as if a quality common to a number of things were drawn away from the things and considered by itself.]

Dictionary of Nautical Terms

  1. abstract

    A brief register of the warrant officer's stores, by which the supplies, expenses, and remains are duly balanced. An abstract log contains the most important subjects of a ship's log.

British National Corpus

  1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'abstract' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #4596

  2. Adjectives Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'abstract' in Adjectives Frequency: #624

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How to say abstract in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of abstract in Chaldean Numerology is: 2

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of abstract in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of abstract in a Sentence

  1. Attorney General Loretta Lynch:

    As this takedown should make clear, health care fraud is not an abstract violation or benign offense, it is a serious crime.

  2. Adam Vourvoulis and Maxwell Leer:

    It’s too abstract. It alienates people. We’re talking about wine too seriously. We want to make people feel more comfortable with it.

  3. Chuck Schumer:

    This is not an abstract exercise, it's as real and as urgent as it gets.

  4. Joanne Lefson:

    Pigcasso is definitely an abstract expressionist, you can't exactly define what she's painting but I can tell you that her style slightly changes depending on her mood like any great artist.

  5. Thomas Babington Macaulay, 1st Baron Macaulay:

    Language, the machine of the poet, is best fitted for his purpose in its rudest state. Nations, like individuals, first perceive, and then abstract. They advance from particular images to general terms. Hence the vocabulary of an enlightened society is philosophical, that of a half-civilized people is poetical.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

abstract#1#1475#10000

Translations for abstract

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

  • ملخصArabic
  • абстра́ктныBelarusian
  • абстрактен, неразбираем, отвлечен, изваждам, абстракция, отнемам, отмъквам, извадка, отвлечено понятие, отвличам, екстракт, резюме, абстракт, (внимание), отделямBulgarian
  • abstracte, xifra, resum, abstraccióCatalan, Valencian
  • shrnutí, výtažek, výtahCzech
  • abstrakt, resumeDanish
  • abstrakt, entziehen, trennen, Zusammenfassung, Auszug, abstrahierenGerman
  • σύνοψη, θεωρητικός, αφηρημένος, δυσνόητος, υπεξαιρώ, αφαιρούμαι, αφαιρώ, συνοψίζω, διαχωρίζω, αφαίρεση, αποσύρω, περίληψη, αποσπώ, αφηρημένη τέχνη, απόσταγμα, κλέβω, επιτομή, αποστάζω, εκχύλισμαGreek
  • abstraktaEsperanto
  • abstracción, extracto, arte abstracto, resumenSpanish
  • abstraktne, kokkuvõteEstonian
  • abstraktuBasque
  • انتزاعیPersian
  • poissaoleva, erillinen, abstrakti, uuttaa, yleinen, vaikeaselkoinen, teoreettinen, abstrahoida, käsite, eristää, puhaltaa, aineellistuma, tiivistää, erottaa, uute, tiivistelmä, tuumia, vetää, abstraktio, vetäytyä, poistaaFinnish
  • résumé, abstrait, abstraireFrench
  • पिछे आना, अमूर्त, अमूर्त कलाकृती करना, निचोड, अलग करना, सारांश करना, अमूर्तिकरन करना, निकाल देना, सारांश, अमूर्तरूपसे लेना, सारHindi
  • absztraktHungarian
  • աբստրակտ, վերացականArmenian
  • astruso, teorico, astratto, astrarre, rimuovere, riassumere, sunto, sottrarre, estratto, compendio, astrazione, estrarre, riassuntoItalian
  • 抽象的, 取る, 要約, 抽象派, 抽出, 概要Japanese
  • अमूर्त, अमूर्तिकरण करणे, काढून टाकणे, अमूर्त कलाकृती करणे, मागे येणे, गोषवारा, सत्त्व, सारांश, अमूर्तपणे घेणे, वेगळे करणे, सारांश करणेMarathi
  • samenvatting, vaag, algemeen, verstrooid, afwezig, abstract, theoretisch, gescheiden, afgezonderd, onttrokken, abstraheren, afzonderen, samenvatten, korte inhoud, zich terugtrekken, terugtrekken, abstractie, onttrekken, ontvreemden, afleiden, uittrekselDutch
  • abstrakt, distrahert, abstraksjon, utdrag, oppsummering, referat, distraksjon, sammendrag, sammenfatning, ekstraktNorwegian
  • abstrakcyjnyPolish
  • abstrato, complicado, difícil, desatento, distraído, abstrair, roubar, abstração, destilar, resumo, sumariar, resumir, sumário, retirarPortuguese
  • extras, abstracție, conspect, concentrat, extract, rezumat, esențăRomanian
  • абстрактный, экстракт, абстракция, абстрагировать, реферат, конспектRussian
  • sažetak, apstrakcijaSerbo-Croatian
  • teoretisk, abstrakt, svårfattlig, djupsinnig, skilja av, abstrahera, stjäla, sammanfattning, sammandrag, nalla, utdrag, ta bort, referat, sno, skilja ut, sammanfatta, knyckaSwedish
  • சுருக்கம்Tamil
  • นามThai
  • рефератUkrainian
  • trừu tượngVietnamese

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"abstract." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Mar. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/abstract>.

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    a disposition to be humble; a lack of false pride
    A trigger
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