Definition

1. Noun:
   • A general concept formed by extracting common features from specific examples: The mental process or result of considering something in a theoretical way, separate from concrete realities or specific objects.
   • Preoccupation with something to the exclusion of all else: A state of being deeply absorbed in thought, often to the point of being unaware of one's surroundings.
   • An abstract painting or work of art: A piece of art that does not attempt to represent external reality but uses shapes, colors, and forms to achieve its effect.
   • The process of formulating general concepts by abstracting common properties of instances: The cognitive act of isolating or deriving a general idea or principle from particular facts or experiences.
   • The act of withdrawing or removing something: A formal or technical term for the action of taking something away.
   • A concept or idea not associated with any specific instance: Something that exists as a thought or idea rather than as a material object.

Usage Examples

• As a general concept:
  • The idea of "justice" is an abstraction that can be difficult to define.
  • Mathematical symbols are abstractions that represent quantities and relationships.
• As preoccupation:
  • He stared out the window in a state of complete abstraction, not hearing his name called.
• As abstract art:
  • The gallery featured several colorful abstractions by modern artists.
• As a process:
  • Scientific modeling relies on the abstraction of key variables from complex systems.
• As a removed concept:
  • He loved the abstraction of "freedom," but the practical details were complicated.

Advanced Usage

• "In the abstract": Considered theoretically, without reference to a specific instance or practical application.
  • In the abstract, the policy seems fair, but its implementation is problematic.
• "Level of abstraction": Refers to the degree of generality or separation from concrete details in thinking or representation.
  • When designing software, you must work at different levels of abstraction.

Variants and Related Words

• Abstract (adj): Existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence.
  • Beauty is an abstract concept.
• Abstract (verb): To consider something theoretically or to extract or remove.
  • It is hard to abstract a single rule from this set of behaviors.
• Abstracted (adj): Lost in thought; preoccupied.
  • She had an abstracted look, as if her mind were elsewhere.
• Abstractness (n): The quality of being abstract.

Synonyms

• Concept: An abstract idea or general notion.
• Generalization: A general statement or concept obtained by inference from specific cases.
• Theorization: The formation of a theory or theories.
• Preoccupation: The state of being engrossed with something.

Related Phrases

• Abstract thinking: The ability to think about objects, principles, and ideas that are not physically present.
• Abstract reasoning: The process of solving problems using concepts and logic, not reliant on concrete examples.

Noun

1. a general concept formed by extracting common features from specific examples
2. preoccupation with something to the exclusion of all else
3. an abstract painting
4. the process of formulating general concepts by abstracting common properties of instances
5. the act of withdrawing or removing something
6. a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
   • he loved her only in the abstract--not in person