abstracting

Verb

abstract (third-person singular simple present abstracts, present participle abstracting, simple past and past participle abstracted)

1. (transitive) To separate; to disengage.
   • He was incapable of forming any opinion or resolution abstracted from his own prejudices.1822, [Walter Scott], Peveril of the Peak. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to IV), Edinburgh: […] Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Hurst, Robinson, and Co., →OCLC
   1. (transitive) To remove; to take away; withdraw.
      • The lightning of the public burdens, which at present abstract a large proportion of profits and wages.1834, Harriet Martineau, Illustration of Political Economy, volume IX
   2. (euphemistic, transitive) To steal; to take away; to remove without permission.
      • Von Rosen had quietly abstracted the bearing-reins from the harness.1872, William Black, The Strange Adventures of a Phaeton
   3. (obsolete, transitive) To extract by means of distillation.
      • Poison from roses who could e'er abstract?1601, John Marston, Antonio's Revenge, act II, scene I
   4. (transitive) To draw off (interest or attention).
      • The young stranger had been abstracted and silent.June 1869, William Blackwood, Late for the Train (published in Blackwood's Magazine)
   5. (figuratively, intransitive, literally, reflexive, transitive) To withdraw oneself; to retire.

See all 34 meanings of abstract