ab·strac·tion

ab·strac·tion
/æbˈstrækʃən/ noun, pl -tions
1 [noncount] : the act of obtaining or removing something from a source : the act of abstracting something

abstraction of data from hospital records

2 formal : a general idea or quality rather than an actual person, object, or event : an abstract idea or quality
[count]

“Beauty” and “truth” are abstractions.

[noncount]

the abstraction [=abstract quality] of his ideas

3 [noncount] somewhat formal : the state of someone who is not paying attention to what is happening or being said : an abstracted state

She gazed out the window in abstraction.


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • ab|strac|tion — «ab STRAK shuhn», noun. 1. the idea of a quality thought of apart from any particular object or real thing having that quality; abstract idea, concept, or term: »Whiteness, courage, hope, sorrow, and length are abstractions. A line that has no… …   Useful english dictionary

  • ab|strac|tion|al — «ab STRAK shuh nuhl», adjective. having to do with abstraction: »... music so astringent…that it amounts to abstractional design (New York Times) …   Useful english dictionary

  • ab|strac|tion|ism — «ab STRAK shuh nihz uhm», noun. 1. the theory or principles of abstract art. 2. the art or practice of making abstractions, especially in art: »Making mobiles is a type of abstractionism …   Useful english dictionary

  • ab|strac|tion|ist — «ab STRAK shuh nihst», noun. 1. an artist who produces works of abstract art: »The abstractionist, though, works in symbols, not depicting the object but suggesting it (New Yorker). 2. an idealist; a dreamer …   Useful english dictionary

  • sem|i|ab|strac|tion|ist — «SEHM ee ab STRAK shuh nihst», noun. an artist who produces semiabstractions …   Useful english dictionary

  • sem|i|ab|strac|tion — «SEHM ee ab STRAK shuhn», noun. a work of semiabstract art …   Useful english dictionary

  • tion — ab·bre·vi·a·tion; ab·di·ca·tion; ab·duc·tion; ab·er·ra·tion; ab·er·ra·tion·al; ab·jec·tion; ab·junc·tion; ab·ju·ra·tion; ab·lac·ta·tion; ab·la·tion; ab·lu·tion; ab·mi·gra·tion; ab·ne·ga·tion; ab·o·li·tion; ab·o·li·tion·ary; ab·o·li·tion·dom;… …   English syllables

  • strac — ab·strac·tion; ab·strac·tion·ism; ab·strac·tive; ab·strac·tor; ab·strac·tum; sub·strac·tion; ab·strac·tion·ist; ab·strac·tive·ly; …   English syllables

  • abstraction — ab·strac·tion …   English syllables

  • substraction — sub·strac·tion …   English syllables

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