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

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:4.0 / 4 votes

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 DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Abstractadjective

   Etymology: abstractus, Lat.

   1. Separated from something else, generally used with relation to mental perceptions; as, abstract mathematics, abstract terms, in opposition to concrete.

   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.

   2. With the particle from.

   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.

   1. A smaller quantity, containing the virtue or power of a greater.

   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.

   2. An epitome made by taking out the principal parts.

   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.

   3. The state of being abstracted.

   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.

   1. To take one thing from another.

   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.

   2. To separate ideas.

   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.

   3. To reduce to an epitome.

   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.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

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 DictionaryRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

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.]

WikidataRate this definition:3.0 / 1 vote

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 DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

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 TermsRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

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.

Matched Categories

1. • Concept
   • Consider
   • Steal
   • Summarize

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

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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How to pronounce abstract?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

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. Noah Webster:

   Language is not an abstract construction of the learned, or of dictionary makers, but is something arising out of the work, needs, ties, joys, affections, tastes, of long generations of humanity, and has its bases broad and low, close to the ground.

2. Pablo Picasso:

   There is no abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward you can remove all traces of reality.

3. Igor Stravinsky:

   I remember being handed a score composed by Mozart at the age of eleven. What could I say I felt like de Kooning, who was asked to comment on a certain abstract painting, and answered in the negative. He was then told it was the work of a celebrated monkey. 'That's different. For a monkey, it's terrific.'

4. Jenny Sammis:

   I have these two gorgeous, smart people who came from this process, these embryos are all like seeds that could become potential people. That reality to me was all abstract when they were in the freezer.

5. David Hume:

   If we take in our hand any volume; of divinity or school metaphysics, for instance; let us ask, "Does it contain any abstract reasoning concerning quantity or number?" No. "Does it contain any experimental reasoning concerning matter of fact and existence?" No. Commit it then to the flames: for it can contain nothing but sophistry and illusion.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=abstract
2. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=abstract
3. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
4. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abstract
5. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=abstract
6. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=abstract
7. ^ Dictionary of Nautical Terms
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/26000/pg26000-images.html#:~:text=abstract
8. ^ Usage in printed sources
   https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=abstract