abstraction

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
  2. noun the act of withdrawing or removing something
  3. noun the process of formulating general concepts by abstracting common properties of instances

Etymology

From Middle English abstraccyone; either from Middle French abstraction or from Medieval Latin abstrāctiō (“separation”), from Latin abstrahō (“draw away”). Equivalent to abstract + -ion.

In classic literature

Synonyms

abstract

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