ABSTRACT

Definition of ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT Adjective and Noun

Abstract is an adjective and a noun, used in different contexts to describe concepts that are not tied to specific, concrete realities but instead focus on general ideas, qualities, or representations.

ABSTRACT as an adjective

As an adjective, abstract refers to something that is not physical or concrete, existing only in thought or as a concept. “The idea of freedom is abstract, as it cannot be directly seen or touched,” illustrates how abstract can describe ideas or concepts that are intangible, often difficult to define or measure. These types of concepts are typically understood through intellectual or emotional understanding rather than sensory experience.

In the Context of Art: In art, abstract describes works that do not represent reality directly. “The artist’s abstract painting used geometric shapes and vibrant colors to evoke emotion rather than represent an actual scene,” highlights how abstract art focuses on form, color, and texture, often foregoing realistic depictions to convey ideas, feelings, or states of mind. This style allows for open interpretation and personal engagement with the viewer, as it emphasizes subjective perception over objective representation.

In Philosophy and Intellectual Discussion: In philosophical contexts, abstract ideas are those that exist as concepts rather than tangible objects. “Philosophers often deal with abstract notions like justice, morality, and existence, which do not have physical forms,” shows how abstract refers to thoughts and concepts that transcend the physical world, involving higher-order thinking and theoretical discourse.

ABSTRACT as a noun

As a noun, abstract refers to a concise summary or overview of a larger work, typically used in academic or professional settings. “The researcher included an abstract at the beginning of the article, summarizing the main findings and conclusions,” illustrates how abstract can refer to a brief, often technical, summary of a more detailed document, offering readers a quick understanding of its contents. It is commonly used in scientific, academic, and research contexts to provide an overview of the main points without requiring the reader to engage with the entire piece.

In the Context of Theoretical or Conceptual Ideas: When used as a noun, abstract can also refer to an intellectual or conceptual idea that is not tied to physical or practical reality. “The debate about abstract concepts such as free will or determinism has been ongoing for centuries,” shows how abstract ideas in intellectual discussions often deal with theories or principles that do not have a direct physical manifestation but are important for understanding larger existential or moral issues.

In the Context of Simplification or Generalization: Abstract can also be used to describe a process where details are simplified or removed in order to focus on essential ideas or patterns. “In mathematics, we deal with abstract concepts such as numbers and geometric shapes, which represent more general truths,” illustrates how abstract refers to the generalization of concepts to capture their essence without focusing on specific instances or applications.

Abstract is a term that can function as both an adjective and a noun, describing ideas, concepts, or works that are removed from concrete, tangible reality. As an adjective, it often relates to things that are conceptual, intangible, or theoretical, especially in art, philosophy, or intellectual discourse. As a noun, it refers to a summary or a conceptual idea that distills the essence of a larger body of work or theory. Whether in artistic, philosophical, or academic contexts, abstract encourages thinking beyond the material and engaging with broader, often more universal, concepts.

Examples of ABSTRACT in a sentence

ABSTRACT as an adjective in a sentence

• The abstract design of the sculpture made it stand out in the gallery.
• She gave an abstract explanation of the theory, making it hard for the students to grasp.
• His abstract approach to problem-solving often led to innovative yet complex solutions.
• The book includes abstract concepts that challenge the reader’s understanding of reality.
• The abstract art style is often characterized by shapes and colors that do not represent real objects.
• The abstract nature of the math equation made it difficult for the students to visualize.
• His abstract thinking often inspired creative ideas that were far from conventional.
• The abstract nature of the project led to multiple interpretations among the team members.

ABSTRACT as a noun in a sentence

• The researcher wrote a detailed abstract summarizing the findings of the study.
• She read the abstract of the article before deciding whether to explore it further.
• The abstract of the thesis provided a concise overview of the entire research project.
• The professor asked the students to submit an abstract of their papers by the end of the week.
• He included a brief abstract at the beginning of his presentation to give the audience an overview.
• The abstract highlighted the key points of the scientific paper without delving into specific details.
• Before reading the full report, the team reviewed the abstract to determine its relevance.
• The abstract of the book gave only a vague idea of the plot, leaving readers curious for more.

Origin of ABSTRACT

The term abstract has an etymology focused on the idea of separation, removal, or distillation, which has evolved to represent both a concept and a style of artistic expression.

Semantic Context: Abstract is an adjective, noun, and verb with various meanings. As an adjective, it describes something that is not physically concrete but exists as an idea, concept, or generalization. As a noun, it can refer to a summary or concise representation of a larger work, such as in academic papers. As a verb, it refers to the act of drawing away or removing certain elements, especially in intellectual contexts.

• Etymological Roots: The word abstract comes from the Latin “abstractus,” the past participle of “abstrahere,” which means “to draw away” or “to remove.” The root “ab-” means “away from,” and “trahere” means “to draw” or “to pull.” The original sense of abstract was related to the physical action of removing or separating something from a whole. The term entered English in the 14th century and was primarily used to describe the act of separating or distilling qualities or ideas from a more complex entity. Over time, it took on additional meanings, especially in intellectual and artistic contexts.
• Historical Development: Abstract began to be used more specifically in the realm of philosophy, particularly in discussions of how ideas and concepts could be separated from concrete objects. Early uses were tied to intellectual abstraction, where specific characteristics of an object were isolated in order to generalize or understand them more deeply. By the 17th century, abstract was applied in scientific and logical discourse, as thinkers began to explore the general principles that underlie specific phenomena. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, abstract also gained prominence in the art world, particularly with the development of abstract art, which intentionally avoided realistic representations in favor of exploring shapes, colors, and forms.
• Cultural and Linguistic Evolution: As abstract evolved in cultural and intellectual contexts, it began to take on different layers of meaning. In philosophy, the concept of abstraction came to signify the mental process of extracting the essential qualities of an idea while removing details. In literature, it referred to general concepts or ideas rather than specific, tangible events or characters. In the visual arts, the term abstract was popularized with movements such as Cubism, Futurism, and Abstract Expressionism, where artists like Picasso and Kandinsky moved away from representing the physical world directly and instead focused on form, color, and emotion.
• Current Usage: Today, abstract is used in a variety of fields with distinct meanings. In the arts, abstract refers to artworks that do not represent the world in a literal way, focusing instead on shapes, colors, and structures. In philosophy and intellectual discourse, abstract describes ideas or concepts that are detached from concrete realities, often generalized or simplified. In everyday language, it can describe something that is difficult to understand because it is not tangible, such as an “abstract idea” or “abstract theory.” In academia, abstract refers to a brief summary of a longer document, typically outlining its key points.

The term abstract has evolved from its Latin origins of drawing away or separating to describe a wide range of concepts in philosophy, art, and everyday language. Its development reflects the broadening application of the concept of abstraction in various disciplines, where it signifies the process of isolating key elements, simplifying complex ideas, and representing them in non-literal forms.