The English word abstract has several meanings, but the most common are:
- To summarize or extract the main points of something.
- To remove or take away something.
- To make something less concrete or specific.
Here are some examples of how abstract can be used in a sentence:
- The abstract of the research paper summarizes the main findings.
- The thief abstracted the money from the safe.
- The artist's paintings are abstract, meaning they do not represent real objects or scenes.
To summarize or extract the main points of something
The word abstract can be used to mean "to summarize or extract the main points of something." In this sense, it is often used in the context of academic writing. For example, an abstract is a brief summary of a research paper that is usually placed at the beginning of the paper. The abstract is intended to give readers a quick overview of the paper's main findings.
Here are some examples of how abstract can be used in this sense:
- The abstract of the research paper provides a concise overview of the study's methodology and findings.
- The abstract of the book summarizes the main points of the author's argument.
To remove or take away something
The word abstract can also be used to mean "to remove or take away something." In this sense, it is often used in a negative context. For example, a thief might abstract money from a safe, or a government might abstract taxes from its citizens.
Here are some examples of how abstract can be used in this sense:
- The thief abstracted the money from the safe in a matter of seconds.
- The government abstracted taxes from its citizens to fund public services.
To make something less concrete or specific
The word abstract can also be used to mean "to make something less concrete or specific." In this sense, it is often used in the context of art or philosophy. For example, an abstract painting might not represent real objects or scenes, but instead might be composed of shapes, colors, or lines.
Here are some examples of how abstract can be used in this sense:
- The artist's paintings are abstract, meaning they do not represent real objects or scenes.
- The philosopher's argument is abstract, meaning it is based on general concepts rather than specific examples.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.