R E F E R E N C E S
1 Abstract adj [ML abstractus, fr. L, pp. of abstrahere to drag away, fr. abs-, ab- + trahere to pull, draw] 14c] 1a: dissasociated from any specific instance [__ entity] b: difficult to understand: Abstruse [__ problems] c: insufficiently factual: Formal [possessed only an __ right] 2: expressing a quality apart from an object [the word poem is concrete, poetry is __] 3a: dealing with a subject in its abstract aspects: Theoretical [__ science] b: Impersonal, Detached [the __ compassion of a surgeon -Time] 4: having only intrinsic form with little or no attempt at pictorial representation or narrative content [--paitning]
2 Abstract n [ME fr. L abstractus] [15c] 1: a summary of points [as of a writing] usu. presented in skeletal form; also: something that summarizes or concentrates the essentials of a larger thing or several things 2: an abstract thing or state 3: Abstraction 4a [An abstract composition or creation in art]
3 Abstract vt [1542] 1: Remove, Separate 2: to consider apart from application to or association with a particular instance 3: to make an abstract of: Summarize 4: to draw away the attention of 5: Steal, Purloin -vi: to make an abstraction
Abstracted adj [1643] 1: Preoccupied, Absent-minded [the __ look of a professor] 2: Abstract 4 [__ geometric shapes]
Abstraction n [1549] 1a: the act or process of abstracting: the state of being abstracted b: an abstract idea or term 2: absence of mind or preoccution 3: abstract qualit or character 4a: an abstract composition or creation of art b: abstractionism
Abstractionism n [1926]: the principles or practice of creating abstract art
[Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th Edition. Springfield, MA, USA: Merriam-Webster, Inc. 1995.]
Abstract [< L abstract(us) drawn off (ptp. of abstrahere). See ABS-, TRACT] 1. Conceived apart from any concrete realities, specific object, or actual instance: an abstract idea. 2. Expressing a quality or characteristic apart from any specific object or instance. 3. Theoretical; not applied or practical; abstract science. 4. Abstruse; abstract speculations. 5. Fine Arts, a. Of or pertaining to the formal aspect of art, emphasizing lines, colors, generalized or geometrical forms, etc., esp. with referrence to their relationship to one another. b. (often cap.) pertaining to the nonrepresentational art styles of the 20th century. -n. 6. A summary of a statement, document, speech, etc; epitome. 7. Something that concentrates in itself the essential qualities of anything more extensive or more general, or of several things; essence. 8. An idea or term considered apart from some material basis or object. 9. An abstract work of art. 10. in the abstract, without reference to practical considerations or applications; in theory; beauty in the abstract. 11. the abstract, something that exists only as an idea; the abstract versus the concrete. -v.t. 12. To draw or take away; remove. 13. To divert or draw away the attention of. 14. To steal. 15. To consider as a general quality or characteristic apart from specific objects or instances; to abstract the notions of time, space, and matter. 16. To summarize.
Lyrical Abstraction. A rather vague term, used differently by different writers, applied to certain aspects of the more intuitive (as opposed to geometric) forms of abstract painting associated with the Abstract Expressionists and their followers. Generally it implies a lush and sumptuous use of colour.
[Urdang, Laurence, ed. Random House Dictionary of The English Language. New York: Random House,1968.]
Copyright
The contents of this site, including all images and text, are for personal, educational, non-commercial use only. The contents of this site may not be reproduced in any form without proper reference to Text, Author, Publisher, and Date of Publication [and page #s when suitable].