abstraction

• Nom désignant une idée ou un concept général considéré indépendamment des cas particuliers, ou le processus consistant à former des notions générales en extrayant les traits communs d'exemples concrets.

A noun referring to a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance, or the process of formulating general concepts by extracting common features from specific examples.

1. General concept or ideaB2formal

   A concept or idea that is not tied to any specific physical instance or concrete example.

   Notion générale ou idée abstraite

   • Justice is an abstraction that can be difficult to define.
   • The philosopher discussed the abstraction of time.
   • Love is often treated as an abstraction in poetry.

   Synonymesconceptgeneralitygeneralizationideanotionuniversal

   Antonymesactualityconcreteexampleinstancereality

2. Act of removing or withdrawingC1formal

   The act of taking something away or removing it from a particular context.

   abstraction (action de retirer)

   • The abstraction of water from the river is strictly regulated.
   • The artist's work involves the abstraction of color from form.
   • The abstraction of key data from the report was necessary.

   Synonymesdetachmenteliminationextractionremovalseparationwithdrawal

   Antonymesadditioninclusioninsertion

3. Formulating general conceptsC1formal

   The mental process of forming general ideas by identifying common features from specific examples.

   Formation de concepts généraux

   • Mathematical abstraction allows us to solve complex problems.
   • The scientist used abstraction to develop a general theory.
   • Children learn abstraction by grouping similar objects.

   Synonymesconceptualizationgeneralization

4. Abstract artB2formalart

   A style of painting or sculpture that does not attempt to represent external reality but uses shapes, colors, and forms.

   Abstraction (art abstrait)

   • The gallery featured a new abstraction by a modern artist.
   • Her painting is a vibrant abstraction of emotion.
   • He prefers abstraction over realistic landscapes.

   Synonymesabstract art

   Antonymesfigurationnaturalismrealismrepresentation

5. Preoccupation or mental distractionC1formal

   A state of being deeply absorbed in thought, often to the point of ignoring surroundings.

   Absorption dans ses pensées

   • His abstraction during the meeting was noticeable.
   • She stared out the window in deep abstraction.
   • The professor's abstraction made him forget the time.

   Synonymesabsentmindednessabsorptionbemusementdaydreamingdistractionengrossmentmusingpreoccupationreveriewoolgathering

   Antonymesattentionawarenessconcentrationfocus

6. Generalization from specificsC1formal

   A general concept formed by extracting common features from specific instances.

   abstraction (généralisation)

   • The abstraction 'mammal' includes many different animals.
   • In science, abstraction helps simplify complex data.
   • The word 'beauty' is an abstraction derived from many experiences.

   Synonymesconceptgeneralizationideanotionuniversal

   Antonymesconcreteexampleinstancespecific