Ab-strac'tion, n.

(-străk'shun), n. [N. Lat. abstractio, Fr. abstraction.]

1. The act of abstracting or separating, or the state of being separated.
2. (Metaph.) The act or process of leaving out of consideration one or more properties of a complex object, so as to attend to others; analysis. Thus, when the mind considers the form of a tree by itself, or the color of the leaves as separate from their size or figure, the act is called abstraction. So, also, when it considers whiteness, softness, virtue, existence, as separate from any particular objects.

Abstraction is necessary to classification, by which things are arranged in genera and species. We separate in idea the qualities of certain objects, which are of the same kind, from others which are different in each, and arrange the objects having the same properties in a class, or collected body. Abstraction is no positive act: it is simply the negative of attention. Sir Wm. Hamilton.

3. An idea or notion of an abstract, or theoretical nature; as, to fight for mere abstractions.
4. A separation from worldly objects; a recluse life; as, a hermit's abstraction.
5. Absence of mind; inattention to present objects; heedlessness.
6. The taking surreptitiously for one's own use part of the property of another. [Recent usage.]
7. A separation of volatile parts by the act of distillation. Nicholson.