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abstract

ab·stract

abstract

 
 
parts of speech:
adjective, noun, transitive verb
phrases:
in the abstract
features:
Word Combinations (adjective, noun, verb), Word Explorer, Word Parts
part of speech: adjective
pronunciation: aeb straekt [or] b straekt
definition 1: existing as something without material form or substance.
Love and beauty are abstract things.
antonyms:
concrete
definition 2: formulated in the mind or in thought and not necessarily connected with what is real, proven, or tangible.
The scientist's theory about how galaxies are formed is completely abstract.She loves to lead the class in abstract discussion.Freedom is an abstract concept.
synonyms:
theoretical
antonyms:
practical
similar words:
hypothetical, intellectual, metaphysical, notional, transcendental
definition 3: hard to comprehend; abstruse.
His writing is so abstract that it's hard for most people to follow.
synonyms:
abstruse
antonyms:
clear, simple
similar words:
difficult, esoteric, intellectual, obscure, recondite
definition 4: designating the idea of something without regard to a particular instance or object.
The setting of the novel is an abstract Paris, not the real Paris of the guidebooks.
similar words:
conceptual, ideal, nonspecific, notional
definition 5: theoretical; not practical or applied.
Mathematics is a more abstract science than engineering.
synonyms:
theoretical
antonyms:
applied, practical
definition 6: depicting reality not as it appears to the senses of most people but in the way that an individual interprets it or wishes to suggest it; nonrepresentational.
Much modern art is abstract.I like her abstract paintings better than her representational work.
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part of speech: noun
pronunciation: aeb straekt
definition 1: a summary; synopsis.
I didn't read the whole article but I read the abstract.
synonyms:
brief, précis, summary, synopsis
antonyms:
amplification
similar words:
abbreviation, aperçu, compendium, condensation, conspectus, epitome, outline, résumé, recapitulation
definition 2: the concentration of the essential characteristics of something greater; essence.
synonyms:
essence
antonyms:
dilution
similar words:
concentration, extract, pith, quintessence, substance
definition 3: something that is abstract or regarded apart from the concrete.
similar words:
concept, theory
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phrase: in the abstract
 
part of speech: transitive verb
pronunciation: b straekt
inflections: abstracts, abstracting, abstracted
definition 1: to draw away; remove.
The teacher abstracted a few paragraphs from the long magazine article and used them for class discussion.
synonyms:
extract, isolate, separate
antonyms:
insert, introduce
similar words:
detach, disjoin, dissociate, remove
definition 2: to attract the attention of; divert.
The crackling of the fire in the fireplace abstracted him for a moment.
synonyms:
distract, divert
similar words:
engross, preoccupy
definition 3: to regard as an abstract quality or characteristic, without reference to a particular instance or object.
similar words:
conceptualize, idealize, intellectualize, prescind, speculate, theorize
definition 4: to summarize.
synonyms:
summarize, synopsize
similar words:
abbreviate, abridge, brief, compress, condense, digest, epitomize, outline, recapitulate, sketch, sum up
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derivations: abstractly (adv.), abstractness (n.)
Word Explorer
See
  knowledge, thought
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