English adjective: abstract | |||
1. | abstract existing only in the mind; separated from embodiment | ||
Samples | Abstract words like `truth' and `justice'. | ||
Similar | conceptional, conceptual, ideal, ideational, ideologic, ideological, notional | ||
See also | impalpable, intangible, nonrepresentational | ||
Attribute | abstractness | ||
Antonyms | concrete | ||
2. | abstract not representing or imitating external reality or the objects of nature | ||
Samples | A large abstract painting. | ||
Synonyms | abstractionist, nonfigurative, nonobjective | ||
Similar | nonrepresentational | ||
Antonyms | representational | ||
3. | abstract dealing with a subject in the abstract without practical purpose or intention | ||
Samples | Abstract reasoning. Abstract science. | ||
Similar | theoretical | ||
Antonyms | applied | ||
English noun: abstract | |||
1. | abstract (cognition) a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance | ||
Samples | He loved her only in the abstract--not in person. | ||
Synonyms | abstraction | ||
Broader (hypernym) | concept, conception, construct | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | absolute, right, teacher, thing | ||
2. | abstract (communication) a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theory | ||
Synonyms | outline, precis, synopsis | ||
Broader (hypernym) | sum-up, summary | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | apercu, brief, epitome | ||
English verb: abstract | |||
1. | abstract (cognition) consider a concept without thinking of a specific example; consider abstractly or theoretically | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | consider, reckon, regard, see, view | ||
2. | abstract (possession) make off with belongings of others | ||
Synonyms | cabbage, filch, hook, lift, nobble, pilfer, pinch, purloin, snarf, sneak, swipe | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Somebody ----s something from somebody | ||
Broader (hypernym) | steal | ||
3. | abstract (cognition) consider apart from a particular case or instance | ||
Samples | Let's abstract away from this particular example. | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s PP | ||
Broader (hypernym) | consider, deal, look at, take | ||
4. | abstract (communication) give an abstract (of) | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | resume, sum up, summarise, summarize | ||