[ˈabstrakt], (Adjective)

Definitions:
- existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence
(e.g: abstract concepts such as love or beauty)

- relating to or denoting art that does not attempt to represent external reality, but rather seeks to achieve its effect using shapes, colours, and textures
(e.g: abstract pictures)


Phrases:
- in the abstract

Origin:
Middle English: from Latin abstractus, literally ‘drawn away’, past participle of abstrahere, from ab- ‘from’ + trahere ‘draw off’

[əbˈstrakt], (Verb)

Definitions:
- consider something theoretically or separately from (something else)
(e.g: to abstract science and religion from their historical context can lead to anachronism)

- extract or remove (something)
(e.g: applications to abstract more water from streams)

- make a written summary of (an article or book)
(e.g: staff who abstract material for an online database)


Phrases:
- in the abstract

Origin:
Middle English: from Latin abstractus, literally ‘drawn away’, past participle of abstrahere, from ab- ‘from’ + trahere ‘draw off’

[ˈabstrakt], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a summary of the contents of a book, article, or speech
(e.g: an abstract of her speech)

- an abstract work of art
(e.g: a big unframed abstract)


Phrases:
- in the abstract

Origin:
Middle English: from Latin abstractus, literally ‘drawn away’, past participle of abstrahere, from ab- ‘from’ + trahere ‘draw off’