Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

1 N‑UNCOUNT The absorption of a liquid, gas, or other substance is the process of it being soaked up or taken in. □ [+ of ] Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron from food.

2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] The absorption of a group into a larger group is the process of it becoming part of the larger group.

ab|stain /æbste I n/ (abstains , abstaining , abstained )

1 VERB If you abstain from something, usually something you want to do, you deliberately do not do it. [FORMAL ] □ [V + from ] Abstain from sex or use condoms. □ [V ] Do you drink alcohol, smoke, or abstain?

2 VERB If you abstain during a vote, you do not use your vote. □ [V ] Three Conservative MPs abstained in the vote.

ab|ste|mi|ous /æbstiː miəs/ ADJ Someone who is abstemious avoids doing too much of something enjoyable such as eating or drinking. [FORMAL ]

ab|sten|tion /æbste nʃ ^ə n/ (abstentions ) N‑VAR Abstention is a formal act of not voting either for or against a proposal. □  …a vote of sixteen in favor, three against, and one abstention.

ab|sti|nence /æ bst I nəns/ N‑UNCOUNT Abstinence is the practice of abstaining from something such as alcoholic drink or sex, often for health or religious reasons. □  …six months of abstinence. □ [+ from ] …total abstinence from alcohol.

ab|stract /æ bstrækt/ (abstracts )

1 ADJ An abstract idea or way of thinking is based on general ideas rather than on real things and events. □  …abstract principles such as justice. □  It's not a question of some abstract concept. ●  ab|stract|ly ADV □  It is hard to think abstractly in these conditions.

2 PHRASE When you talk or think about something in the abstract , you talk or think about it in a general way, rather than considering particular things or events. □  Money was a commodity she never thought about except in the abstract.

3 ADJ [ADJ n] In grammar, an abstract noun refers to a quality or idea rather than to a physical object. □  …abstract words such as glory, honor, and courage.

4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Abstract art makes use of shapes and patterns rather than showing people or things. □  …a modern abstract painting.

5 N‑COUNT An abstract is an abstract work of art.

6 N‑COUNT An abstract of an article, document, or speech is a short piece of writing that gives the main points of it.

ab|stract|ed /æbstræ kt I d/ ADJ Someone who is abstracted is thinking so deeply that they are not fully aware of what is happening around them. [WRITTEN ] □  The same abstracted look was still on his face. ●  ab|stract|ed|ly ADV [ADV with v] □  She nodded abstractedly.

ab|strac|tion /æbstræ kʃ ^ə n/ (abstractions ) N‑VAR An abstraction is a general idea rather than one relating to a particular object, person, or situation. [FORMAL ] □  Is it worth fighting a big war, in the name of an abstraction like sovereignty?

ab|struse /æbstruː s/ ADJ You can describe something as abstruse if you find it difficult to understand, especially when you think it could be explained more simply. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □  …fruitless discussions about abstruse resolutions.