abstract

ab|stract¹ [ˈæbstrækt] adj

[Date: 1300-1400; : Latin; Origin: , past participle of abstrahere, from abs- 'away' + trahere 'to pull']

1.) based on general ideas or principles rather than specific examples or real events

= ↑theoretical

abstract idea/concept

▪ the ability to translate abstract ideas into words

▪ By the age of seven, children are capable of thinking in abstract terms .

▪ Human beings are the only creatures capable of abstract thought (=thinking about ideas) .

2.) existing only as an idea or quality rather than as something real that you can see or touch

≠ ↑concrete

▪ the abstract nature of beauty

3.) abstract paintings, designs etc consist of shapes and patterns that do not look like real people or things

→↑abstract noun

abstract ²

abstract² n

1.) a painting, design etc which contains shapes or images that do not look like real things or people

2.) a short written statement containing only the most important ideas in a speech, article etc

3.) in the abstract

considered in a general way rather than being based on specific details and examples

▪ Talking about crime in the abstract just isn't enough.

abstract ³

ab|stract³ [əbˈstrækt, æb-] v [T]

1.) to write a document containing the most important ideas or points from a speech, article etc

2.) formal to remove something from somewhere