All 8 Uses of
abstract
in
David Copperfield
- He had that kind of shallow black eye — I want a better word to express an eye that has no depth in it to be looked into — which, when it is abstracted, seems from some peculiarity of light to be disfigured, for a moment at a time, by a cast.†
Chpt 1-3 (definition 2)
- It was so beautiful in its form, it was so ashy pale, it was so fixed in its abstraction, it was so full of a wild, sleep-walking, dreamy horror of I don't know what.†
Chpt 16-18 (definition 1) *
- It was occasioned, I suppose, by the reverend nature of respectability in the abstract, but I felt particularly young in this man's presence.
Chpt 19-21 (definition 1)abstract = of a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
- These were few enough, to be sure; but as we always fell back upon Blood, she had as wide a field for abstract speculation as her nephew himself.†
Chpt 25-27 (definition 2)
- That didn't answer very well; and then I began to state cases for them, and make abstracts, and that sort of work.
Chpt 25-27 (definition 2) *abstracts = summaries
- A difference of opinion had arisen between herself and Mrs. Crupp, on an abstract question (the propriety of chambers being inhabited by the gentler sex); and my aunt, utterly indifferent to spasms on the part of Mrs. Crupp, had cut the dispute short, by informing that lady that she smelt of my brandy, and that she would trouble her to walk out.
Chpt 34-36 (definition 1)abstract = of a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
- That he laid his other hand upon the Doctor's arm, causing him to look up with an abstracted air.
Chpt 43-45 (definition 3) *abstracted = distracted
- 'I beg your pardon, miss,' he said, awakening from his abstraction, 'but, however submissive to you, I have my position, though a servant.†
Chpt 46-48 (definition 1)
Definitions:
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(1) (abstract as in: abstract thought) of a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
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(2) (abstract as in: read the abstract) a summary; or to summarize -- especially academic writing
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(3) (abstracted as in: abstracted, so didn't notice) lost in thought; or distracted by thoughts