abstract

The story

1. Latin · derived fromabstractus
2. Middle English · inherited fromabstract
3. English todayabstract

From Middle English abstract, borrowed from Latin abstractus, perfect passive participle of abstrahō (“draw away”), formed from abs- (“away”) + trahō (“to pull, draw”). The verbal sense is first attested in 1542.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• First attested around 1350 to 1470. An abridgement or summary of a longer publication.
• First attested in the mid 16ᵗʰ century. Something that concentrates in itself the qualities of a larger item, or multiple items.
• First attested in the mid 16ᵗʰ century. Concentrated essence of a product.
• First attested in the mid 16ᵗʰ century. A powdered solid extract of a medicinal substance mixed with lactose.
• First attested in the mid 16ᵗʰ century. An abstraction; an abstract term; that which is abstract.
• First attested in the early 17ᵗʰ century. The theoretical way of looking at things; something that exists only in idealized form.
• First attested in the early 20ᵗʰ century. An abstract work of art.
• Attested from around 1350 to 1470 until the late 15ᵗʰ century. Derived; extracted.