Definition of abstraction - WordReference.com Dictionary

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abstraction:

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abstraction
A	noun
	1	abstraction
			a general concept formed by extracting common features from specific examples

	2	abstraction
			the act of withdrawing or removing something
		Category Tree: act; human action; human activity ╚action ╚change ╚change of integrity ╚separation ╚removal; remotion ╚abstraction
	3	abstraction
			an abstract painting
		Category Tree: entity ╚object; physical object ╚artifact; artefact ╚creation ╚art; fine art ╚graphic art ╚painting; picture ╚abstraction
	4	abstractedness, abstraction
			preoccupation with something to the exclusion of all else
		Category Tree: state ╚cognitive state; state of mind ╚preoccupation; preoccupancy; absorption; engrossment ╚abstractedness, abstraction ╚reverie; revery
	5	abstraction, generalization, generalisation
			the process of formulating general concepts by abstracting common properties of instances
		Category Tree: psychological feature ╚cognition; knowledge; noesis ╚process; cognitive process; mental process; operation; cognitive operation ╚higher cognitive process ╚thinking; thought; cerebration; intellection; mentation ╚reasoning; logical thinking; abstract thought ╚conjecture ╚theorization; theorisation ╚abstraction, generalization, generalisation
	6	abstraction, abstract
			a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance; "he loved her only in the abstract--not in person"
		Category Tree: psychological feature ╚cognition; knowledge; noesis ╚content; cognitive content; mental object ╚idea; thought ╚concept; conception; construct ╚abstraction, abstract ╚thing ╚teacher ╚absolute ╚right

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