catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Abstract \Ab"stract`\ (#; 277), a. [L. abstractus, p. p. of
     abstrahere to draw from, separate; ab, abs + trahere to draw.
     See Trace.]
     1. Withdraw; separate. [Obs.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
              The more abstract . . . we are from the body.
                                                    --Norris.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Considered apart from any application to a particular
        object; separated from matter; existing in the mind only;
        as, abstract truth, abstract numbers. Hence: ideal;
        abstruse; difficult.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Logic)
        (a) Expressing a particular property of an object viewed
            apart from the other properties which constitute it;
            -- opposed to concrete; as, honesty is an abstract
            word. --J. S. Mill.
        (b) Resulting from the mental faculty of abstraction;
            general as opposed to particular; as, ``reptile'' is
            an abstract or general name. --Locke.
            [1913 Webster]
  
                  A concrete name is a name which stands for a
                  thing; an abstract name which stands for an
                  attribute of a thing. A practice has grown up in
                  more modern times, which, if not introduced by
                  Locke, has gained currency from his example, of
                  applying the expression ``abstract name'' to all
                  names which are the result of abstraction and
                  generalization, and consequently to all general
                  names, instead of confining it to the names of
                  attributes.                       --J. S. Mill.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     4. Abstracted; absent in mind. ``Abstract, as in a trance.''
        --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     An abstract idea (Metaph.), an idea separated from a
        complex object, or from other ideas which naturally
        accompany it; as the solidity of marble when contemplated
        apart from its color or figure.
  
     Abstract terms, those which express abstract ideas, as
        beauty, whiteness, roundness, without regarding any object
        in which they exist; or abstract terms are the names of
        orders, genera or species of things, in which there is a
        combination of similar qualities.
  
     Abstract numbers (Math.), numbers used without application
        to things, as 6, 8, 10; but when applied to any thing, as
        6 feet, 10 men, they become concrete.
  
     Abstract mathematics or Pure mathematics. See
        Mathematics.
        [1913 Webster]

  Abstract \Ab"stract`\ (#; 277), a. [L. abstractus, p. p. of
     abstrahere to draw from, separate; ab, abs + trahere to draw.
     See Trace.]
     1. Withdraw; separate. [Obs.]
  
              The more abstract . . . we are from the body.
                                                    --Norris.
  
     2. Considered apart from any application to a particular
        object; separated from matter; existing in the mind only;
        as, abstract truth, abstract numbers. Hence: ideal;
        abstruse; difficult.
  
     3. (Logic)
        (a) Expressing a particular property of an object viewed
            apart from the other properties which constitute it;
            -- opposed to concrete; as, honesty is an abstract
            word. --J. S. Mill.
        (b) Resulting from the mental faculty of abstraction;
            general as opposed to particular; as, ``reptile'' is
            an abstract or general name. --Locke.
  
                  A concrete name is a name which stands for a
                  thing; an abstract name which stands for an
                  attribute of a thing. A practice has grown up in
                  more modern times, which, if not introduced by
                  Locke, has gained currency from his example, of
                  applying the expression ``abstract name'' to all
                  names which are the result of abstraction and
                  generalization, and consequently to all general
                  names, instead of confining it to the names of
                  attributes.                       --J. S. Mill.
  
     4. Abstracted; absent in mind. ``Abstract, as in a trance.''
        --Milton.
  
     An abstract idea (Metaph.), an idea separated from a
        complex object, or from other ideas which naturally
        accompany it; as the solidity of marble when contemplated
        apart from its color or figure.
  
     Abstract terms, those which express abstract ideas, as
        beauty, whiteness, roundness, without regarding any object
        in which they exist; or abstract terms are the names of
        orders, genera or species of things, in which there is a
        combination of similar qualities.
  
     Abstract numbers (Math.), numbers used without application
        to things, as 6, 8, 10; but when applied to any thing, as
        6 feet, 10 men, they become concrete.
  
     Abstract or Pure mathematics. See Mathematics.