abstract
abstract Lexical Profile
abstract Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Existing in thought or as an idea rather than having a physical or concrete existence.
"Justice and liberty are abstract concepts that can be interpreted differently across cultures."
Relating to or denoting art that does not attempt to represent external reality, but seeks to achieve its effect using shapes, forms, colors, and textures.
"The gallery's new exhibition features vibrant abstract paintings from the mid-twentieth century."
Dealing with a subject in its theoretical considerations rather than its practical application.
"Pure mathematics is often viewed as an abstract discipline, though its findings frequently enable technological breakthroughs."
• noun
A concise summary of the main points of a written work, such as an academic article, thesis, or research paper.
"Before reading the full twenty-page study, the researcher skimmed the abstract to see if the methodology was relevant."
An abstract work of art, such as a nonrepresentational painting or sculpture.
"She purchased a bold geometric abstract by a local artist to hang in the main lobby."
• verb
To consider something theoretically or separately from a specific object or concrete instance.
"To understand the underlying mathematical law, we must abstract the general principle from these individual measurements."
To make a written summary or synopsis of a book, article, or legal document.
"Her role at the legal archive was to abstract the key findings of each case file for the digital database."
To extract, remove, or separate something from a larger whole or source.
"The municipal water authority was granted a license to abstract up to five million gallons daily from the river."
Word Nuance & Usage
"Abstract" is a heteronym: as an adjective or noun, the stress falls on the first syllable (AB-strakt), whereas as a verb, the stress shifts to the second syllable (ab-STRAKT).
• Rhymes for abstract
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 14th century from Latin "abstractus," the past participle of "abstrahere" (to draw away or detach), formed from "ab-" (away) and "trahere" (to draw or pull).