abstract

ab|stract1 [ `æb,strækt, æb`strækt ] adjective **

1. ) abstract ideas exist as thoughts in the mind, and are not related to physical objects or real events and actions:

abstract idea/concept/principle/notion: Mathematics is concerned with understanding abstract concepts.

They are not interested in abstract notions like equality or freedom.

2. ) abstract art expresses the artist's ideas or feelings instead of showing the exact appearance of people or things:

modern abstract paintings/sculpture

abstract

ab|stract 2 [ `æb,strækt ] noun count

1. ) a summary of a report, speech, or academic paper:

You must submit an abstract before presenting your paper.

abstract of: It's the abstract of a report on air pollution.

2. ) an abstract painting or design

in the abstract

thinking about something only as a general idea without referring to real situations or practical experience

abstract

ab|stract 3 [ æb`strækt ] verb transitive FORMAL

1. ) to obtain facts from a calculation or piece of research:

information abstracted from newspaper reports

a ) to remove something from somewhere

2. ) to write a short summary of a speech, report, or other piece of writing