abstracting Definition

abstract
adj

1. Referring to something which exists only as an idea or quality.
2. Concerned with ideas and theory rather than with things which really exist or could exist.

Thesaurus: generalized, hypothetical, theoretical, conceptual, indefinite, subtle, unrealistic; Antonym: concrete.
3. Said of an art form, especially painting: that represents the subject by shapes and patterns, etc rather than in the shape or form it actually has. Compare concrete adj 2
4. grammar.
Said of a noun: denoting a quality, condition or action rather than a physical thing. Compare concrete adj 4.

noun

1. A brief statement of the main points (of a book, speech, etc).

Thesaurus: summary, synopsis, précis, condensation, outline, recapitulation, essence.
2. An abstract idea, theory, etc.
3. An example of abstract painting, etc.

verb abstracted, abstracting

1. To take out or remove something.

Thesaurus: withdraw, separate, extract, remove.
2. To summarize (a book, speech, etc).

Thesaurus: summarize, condense, digest, decrease.
3. To generalize about something from particular instances.

Derivative: abstractly
adverb

Derivative: abstractness
noun

Idiom: in the abstract

In theory rather than in reality.

Etymology: 14c, meaning ‘derived': from Latin abs away or from + trahere to draw.