Abstraction Meaning
/əbˈstɹæk.ʃn̩/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe act of abstracting, separating, withdrawing, or taking away; withdrawal; the state of being taken away.
nounThe act of abstracting, separating, withdrawing, or taking away; withdrawal; the state of being taken away., The taking surreptitiously for one's own use part of the property of another; purloining.
Sentence Examples
This is an example of abstraction.
It's a metaphysical abstraction.
This whole matter is a mere abstraction for you.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The philosopher's theory was criticized for being an ____ with no practical use.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The concept of 'justice' is a high-level ____ in legal philosophy.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English abstraccyone; either from Middle French abstraction or from Medieval Latin abstrāctiō (“separation”), from Latin abstrahō (“draw away”). Equivalent to abstract + -ion.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The cancelling of the debt would be no destruction of wealth, but a transfer of it: a wrongful abstraction of wealth from certain members of the community, for the profit of the government, or of the tax-payers."
— 1848, J. S. Mill, Principles of Political Economy with some of their Applications to Social Philosophy:
"Abstraction is no positive act: it is simply the negative of attention."
— c. 1837, W. Hamilton, Lectures on Metaphysics and Logic, published 1860, Lecture XXXV, page 474:
""One penny, sir!" He was roused at once from his abstraction; for it was a question to himself whether he had even that in his pocket. Sixpence was, however, discovered; he paid the toll, and passed on."
— 1832, Letitia Elizabeth Landon, Heath's Book of Beauty, 1833, The Talisman, page 55:
"At one point, her spidery abstractions gave way to a series of abruptly syncopated hits, like a deranged allusion to the Thelonious Monk tune “Evidence.”"
— 2015 June 18, Nate Chinen, “Review: Eric Revis Trio Lets the Music Lead the Way at the Jazz Gallery”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 16 Jun 2022:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The philosopher's theory was criticized for being an ____ with no practical use.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The concept of 'justice' is a high-level ____ in legal philosophy.