Added 9 October 2026
abstract
/ˈæbˌstɹækt/ noun
Latin root: abstractus First recorded: 1542 Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about abstract at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- An abridgement or summary of a longer publication. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
- Something that concentrates in itself the qualities of a larger item, or multiple items. Concentrated essence of a product. A powdered solid extract of a medicinal substance mixed with lactose.
- Concentrated essence of a product.
adjective
verb
-
To separate; to disengage. To remove; to take away; withdraw. To steal; to take away; to remove without permission. To extract by means of distillation. To draw off (interest or attention).
He was wholly abstracted by other objects.
- To remove; to take away; withdraw.
- To steal; to take away; to remove without permission.
Origin
From Middle English abstract, borrowed from Latin abstractus, perfect passive participle of abstrahō (“draw away”), formed from abs- (“away”) + trahō (“to pull, draw”). The verbal sense is first attested in 1542.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)