1. A concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
   "he loved her only in the abstraction, not in person";
   - abstract
    
2. A general concept formed by extracting common features from specific examples
   "Justice is an abstraction that can be difficult to define";
   - abstract entity
    
3. The process of formulating general concepts by abstracting common properties of instances
   "The scientist's abstraction of patterns from the data led to a breakthrough";
   - generalization, generalisation [Brit]
    
4. The act of withdrawing or removing something
   "The abstraction of water from the river for irrigation purposes"
    
5. An abstract work of art
   "The gallery's new exhibition featured several bold abstractions by emerging artists"
    
6. Preoccupation with something to the exclusion of all else
   "His abstraction during the meeting was noticeable to everyone";
   - abstractedness

Derived forms: abstractions

Type of: absorption, concept, conception, construct, engrossment, entity, painting, picture, preoccupancy, preoccupation, remotion [archaic], removal, theorisation [Brit], theorization

Encyclopedia: Abstraction