The word "abstractness" is spelled with four syllables: /æb-ˈstrækt-nəs/. The first syllable is pronounced with the short "a" sound as in "cat," followed by the stressed second syllable with the "str" consonant cluster and "a" sound. The third syllable has the unstressed "ə" schwa sound, and the final syllable ends with "-ness," pronounced with a long "e" sound. This word refers to the quality of being abstract or difficult to understand, commonly found in art, philosophy, and science.
Abstractness is defined as the quality or state of being abstract. An abstract idea or concept is one that is conceptual or theoretical in nature, rather than concrete or tangible. It represents a general or overarching idea rather than a specific instance. Abstractness is the attribute of being abstract and is often associated with conceptual thinking, symbolism, and philosophical ideas.
In philosophy, abstractness often refers to the ability to think in terms of categories, concepts, and abstractions rather than solely relying on sensory perception or concrete examples. It involves grasping the underlying principles or essence of a particular subject or phenomenon.
In art, abstractness is a style or approach in which the artist represents ideas or emotions rather than visible reality. It involves simplifying or distorting forms, colors, and lines to create a visual representation that is not directly recognizable or representational.
In scientific and mathematical contexts, abstractness refers to the level of generality or complexity of theories, models, or concepts. It involves dealing with ideas and principles that are not directly observable or tangible and requires the ability to think in terms of symbols, equations, and abstractions.
Overall, abstractness is the quality of being abstract and is often associated with thinking or representing ideas, concepts, or theories that are not directly observable or tangible.
The word "abstractness" is derived from the noun form of the adjective "abstract". The adjective "abstract" originated in the late 14th century from the Latin word "abstractus", which means "drawn away". It comes from the past participle stem of "abstrahere", which is a combination of the prefix "ab-" meaning "away" and "trahere" meaning "to draw". Over time, the term "abstract" took on the meaning of "separated" or "removed", particularly referring to the mental separation of ideas or concepts from specific instances or physical objects. The noun form "abstractness" then refers to the quality or state of being abstract.