- 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/sculptureabstractab|stract 2 [ `æb,strækt ] noun count1. ) 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 designin the abstractthinking about something only as a general idea without referring to real situations or practical experienceabstractab|stract 3 [ æb`strækt ] verb transitive FORMAL1. ) to obtain facts from a calculation or piece of research:information abstracted from newspaper reportsa ) to remove something from somewhere2. ) to write a short summary of a speech, report, or other piece of writing
Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.