a general concept formed by extracting common features from specific examples
noun (persons, places, or things)
abstractions
attribute | communication | grouping | measure | otherworld | psychological feature | relation | set
late Middle English: from Latin abstraction-, from the verb abstrahere "draw...
(Source: Oxford Dictionary) [more]
an object which does not exist at any particular time or place, but rather exists as a type of thing. In philosophy, an important distinction is whether an object is considered abstract or concrete. Abstract objects are sometimes called abstracta and ... (41 of 595 words)
the cognitive process of isolating, or "abstracting," a common feature or relationship observed in a number of things, or the product of such a ... (24 of 271 words)
the quality of dealing with ideas rather than events | something that exists only as an idea | freedom from representational qualities in art | an ... (23 of 228 words, 7 definitions, 6 usage examples, pronunciation)
oxforddictionaries.com/definition/abstraction region=us
the quality of dealing with ideas rather than events | [countable] something which exists only as an idea | freedom from representational qualities in ... (22 of 200 words, 7 definitions, 5 usage examples, pronunciation)
absence of mind; preoccupation | the process of formulating generalized ideas or concepts by extracting common qualities from specific examples | an ... (20 of 209 words, 6 definitions, 6 usage examples, pronunciation)
www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/abstraction
The act of abstracting, separating, or withdrawing, or the state of being withdrawn; withdrawal. | [philosophy] The act of leaving out of consideration one or more properties of a complex object so as to attend to others; analysis. | An idea or notion... (41 of 195 words, 10 definitions, 3 usage examples, pronunciation)
the act or process of "abstracting"; the state of being "abstracted" ; an "abstract" idea or term | absence of mind or preoccupation | abstract ... (23 of 158 words, 4 definitions, pronunciations)
an abstract or general idea or term. | the act of considering something as a general quality or characteristic, apart from concrete realities, ... (22 of 101 words, 7 definitions, 1 usage example, pronunciation)
an abstracting or being abstracted; removal | formation of an idea, as of the qualities or properties of a thing, by mental separation from particular ... (24 of 76 words, 7 definitions, 1 usage example, pronunciation)
[countable/uncountable] an idea or way of thinking that is not related to real situations or practical experiences | [uncountable, formal] an ... (20 of 59 words, 2 definitions, 1 usage example, pronunciation)
www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/abstraction
The act of abstracting or the state of having been abstracted. | An abstract concept, idea, or term. | An abstract quality. | Preoccupation; ... (21 of 34 words, 5 definitions, pronunciation)
when a subject is very general and not based on real situations (12 of 24 words, 1 usage example, pronunciation)
dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/abstraction
a generalized idea or theory developed from concrete examples of events | the formation of general ideas or concepts from concrete examples | a state ... (23 of 116 words, 7 definitions, pronunciation)
encarta.msn.com/dictionary 1861583126/definition.html [offline]
Origin: late Middle English: from Latin abstraction-, from the verb abstrahere "draw away" (see "abstract")
oxforddictionaries.com/definition/abstraction region=us
Origin: late Middle English: from Latin abstractio(n-), from the verb abstrahere "draw away" (see "abstract")
Origin: Middle English abstraccioun from Late Latin abstractio: see "abstract"
Origin: Compare French abstraction. See the adjective abstract.
Audio 1: North American English pronunciation of "abstraction"
Audio 2: British English pronunciation of "abstraction"
www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/abstraction
Audio: British English pronunciation of "abstraction"
www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/abstraction
Audio: North American pronunciation of "abstraction"
www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/american/abstraction
Audio 1: British English pronunuciation of "abstraction"
Audio 2: North American English pronunuciation of "abstraction"
dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/abstraction
Audio: North American pronunciation of "abstraction"
www.merriam-webster.com/audio.php file=abstra14 word=abstraction
Page last updated: 2012-05-15