abstract
pronunciation
How to pronounce abstract in British English:
UK [ˈæbstrækt]
How to pronounce abstract in American English:
US [ˈæbstrækt]
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- Noun:
- a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
- a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theory
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- Verb:
- consider a concept without thinking of a specific example; consider abstractly or theoretically
- make off with belongings of others
- consider apart from a particular case or instance
- give an abstract (of)
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- Adjective:
- existing only in the mind; separated from embodiment
- not representing or imitating external reality or the objects of nature
- based on specialized theory
- dealing with a subject in the abstract without practical purpose or intention
Word Origin
- abstract (adj.)
- late 14c., originally in grammar (of nouns), from Latin abstractus "drawn away," past participle of abstrahere "to drag away, detach, pull away, divert;" also figuratively, from ab(s)- "away" (see ab-) + trahere "draw" (see tract (n.1)). Meaning "withdrawn or separated from material objects or practical matters" is from mid-15c. That of "difficult to understand, abstruse" is from c. 1400. Specifically in reference to modern art, it dates from 1914; abstract expressionism as an American-based uninhibited approach to art exemplified by Jackson Pollock is from 1952, but the term itself had been used in the 1920s of Kandinsky and others. Oswald Herzog, in an article on "Der Abstrakte Expressionismus" (Sturm, heft 50, 1919) gives us a statement which with equal felicity may be applied to the artistic attitude of the Dadaists. "Abstract Expressionism is perfect Expressionism," he writes. "It is pure creation. It casts spiritual processes into a corporeal mould. It does not borrow objects from the real world; it creates its own objects .... The abstract reveals the will of the artist; it becomes expression. ..." [William A. Drake, "The Life and Deeds of Dada," 1922] Then, that art we have called "abstract" for want of any possible descriptive term, with which we have been patient, and, even, appreciative, getting high stimulation by the new Guggenheim "non-objective" Art Museum, is reflected in our examples of "surrealism," "dadaism," and what-not, to assert our acquaintance in every art, fine or other. [Report of the Art Reference Department of Pratt Institute Free Library for year ending June 30, 1937]
- abstract (n.)
- "abridgement or summary of a document," mid-15c., from abstract (adj.). The general sense of "a smaller quantity containing the virtue or power of a greater" [Johnson] is recorded from 1560s.
- abstract (v.)
- 1540s, from Latin abstractus or else from the adjective abstract. Related: Abstracted; abstracting, abstractedly.
Example
- 1. Conformity is not an abstract concept to these students .
- 2. The clickable trait looks just like a java interface ; it is completely abstract .
- 3. See the abstract and download options .
- 4. Frameworks abstract regular code to provide you a structure and foundation for developing web applications .
- 5. These abstract shapes are actually plankton .