noun / verb

abstract

a brief account of something's main ideas

The abstract summarizes the study's main findings.

Etymology

Latin ab- and trahere combine the ideas of “away” and “draw.” An abstract draws the main ideas out of a larger work, presenting the essential content apart from its fuller treatment.

More examples

  • She abstracted the report into one paragraph.
  • Several abstracts were submitted.
  • They are abstracting the articles for the index.

Forms

abstract · abstracts · abstracted · abstracting

Similar words

summary
The ordinary term for a brief account.
extract
A selected passage rather than a rewritten summary.