abstraction

Definition

The act of abstracting, separating, withdrawing, or taking away; withdrawal; the state of being taken away.

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.

Example Sentences

• "The cancelling of the debt would be no destruction of wealth, but a transfer of it: a wrongful abstraction of wealth from certain members of the community, for the profit of the government, or of the tax-payers."
• "a hermit’s abstraction"
• "Holonym: induction"

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