Search results for 'abstract':

abstract adj 1 referring to something which exists only as an idea or quality. 2 concerned with ideas and theory rather than with things which really exist or could exist. 3 said of an art form, especially painting: that represents the subject by shapes and patterns, etc rather than in the shape or form it actually has. Compare concrete adj 2 4 grammar said of a noun: denoting a quality, condition or action rather than a physical thing. Compare concrete adj 4. noun 1 a brief statement of the main points (of a book, speech, etc). 2 an abstract idea, theory, etc. 3 an example of abstract painting, etc. verb (abstracted, abstracting) 1 to take out or remove something. 2 to summarize (a book, speech, etc). 3 to generalize about something from particular instances. abstractly adverb. abstractness noun. in the abstract in theory rather than in reality.
ETYMOLOGY: 14c, meaning 'derived': from Latin abs away or from + trahere to draw.