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1. Existing only in the mind; separated from embodiment
   "abstract words like 'truth' and 'justice'"
    
2. Not representing or imitating external reality or the objects of nature
   "a large abstract painting";
   - abstractionist, nonfigurative, nonobjective
    
3. Dealing with a subject in the abstract without practical purpose or intention
   "abstract reasoning"; "abstract science"
    
4. (computing) of a class in object-oriented programming, being a partial basis for subclasses rather than being completely defined and directly usable

1. Consider a concept without thinking of a specific example; consider abstractly or theoretically
    
2. Make off with belongings of others
   - pilfer, cabbage, purloin, pinch [Brit], snarf [N. Amer], swipe, hook, sneak, filch [informal], nobble [Brit], lift, snatch, whip [Brit], nick [Brit, informal]
    
3. Consider apart from a particular case or instance
   "Let's abstract away from this particular example"
    
4. Give an abstract (of)

1. A concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
   "he loved her only in the abstract--not in person";
   - abstraction
    
2. A sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theory
   - outline, synopsis, précis

Derived forms: abstracts, abstracting, abstracted

See also: abstractness, conceptional, conceptual, ideal, ideational, ideologic, ideological, impalpable, intangible, nonrepresentational, notional, theoretical

Type of: concept, conception, consider, construct, look at, reckon, regard, resume, run over, see, steal, sum up, summarise [Brit], summarize, summary, sum-up, take, view

Antonym: concrete

Encyclopedia: Abstract