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abstract
ab·stract • adj. / abˈstrakt; ˈabˌstrakt/ existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence: abstract concepts such as love or beauty. ∎ dealing with ideas rather than events: the novel was too abstract to sustain much attention. ∎ not based on a particular instance; theoretical: we have been discussing the problem in a very abstract manner. ∎ (of a word, esp. a noun) denoting an idea, quality, or state rather than a concrete object. ∎ of or relating to art that uses shapes, forms, colors, and textures to create suggestive effects rather than realistic images. • v. / abˈstrakt/ [tr.] 1. consider (something) theoretically or separately from something else: abstracting religion from its historical context. ∎ [intr.] form a general idea in this way: he cannot form a general notion by abstracting from particulars. 2. extract or remove (something). 3. make a written summary of (an article or book): he abstracts material for an online database. • n. / ˈabˌstrakt/ 1. a summary or statement of the contents of a book, article, or formal speech. 2. an abstract work of art. 3. (the abstract) that which is abstract; the theoretical consideration of something. PHRASES: in the abstract in a general way; without reference to specific instances.DERIVATIVES: ab·stract·ly adv. ab·strac·tor / -tər/ n. (in sense 3 of the v.). |
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Cite this article
"abstract." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "abstract." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-abstract.html "abstract." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-abstract.html |
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Abstract
ABSTRACTTo take or withdraw from; as, to abstract the funds of a bank. To remove or separate. To summarize or abridge. An abstract comprises—or concentrates in itself—the essential qualities of a larger thing—or of several things—in a short, abbreviated form. It differs from a transcript, which is a verbatim copy of the thing itself and is more comprehensive. cross-references |
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"Abstract." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Abstract." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437700040.html "Abstract." West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437700040.html |
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abstract
abstract adj. XIV, sb. XV. — (O)F. †abstract or L. abstractus, pp. of abstrahere, f. ABS- + trahere draw.
So abstract vb. XV. Partly f. pp. †abstract, partly f. L. abstract-, pp. stem of abstrahere. abstraction XV. |
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Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "abstract." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "abstract." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-abstract.html T. F. HOAD. "abstract." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-abstract.html |
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ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT. A summary of a statement, thesis, paper, or other document, usually providing its gist (essential elements and argument). See ABRIDG(E)MENT.
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TOM McARTHUR. "ABSTRACT." Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. TOM McARTHUR. "ABSTRACT." Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O29-ABSTRACT.html TOM McARTHUR. "ABSTRACT." Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language. 1998. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O29-ABSTRACT.html |
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abstract
abstract
•abreact, abstract, act, attract, bract, compact, contract, counteract, diffract, enact, exact, extract, fact, humpbacked, hunchbacked, impact, interact, matter-of-fact, pact, protract, redact, refract, retroact, subcontract, subtract, tact, tract, transact, unbacked, underact, untracked
•play-act • autodidact
•artefact (US artifact) • cataract
•contact
•marked, unremarked
•Wehrmacht
•affect, bisect, bull-necked, collect, confect, connect, correct, defect, deflect, deject, detect, direct, effect, eject, elect, erect, expect, infect, inflect, inject, inspect, interconnect, interject, intersect, misdirect, neglect, object, perfect, project, prospect, protect, reflect, reject, respect, resurrect, sect, select, subject, suspect, transect, unchecked, Utrecht
•prefect • abject • retroject • intellect
•genuflect • idiolect • dialect • aspect
•circumspect • retrospect • Dordrecht
•vivisect • architect • unbaked
•sun-baked
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Cite this article
"abstract." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "abstract." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-abstract.html "abstract." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-abstract.html |
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