abstract /ab″strakt, abstrakt″/ [L, abstrahere, to drag away] , 1. a condensed summary of a scientific article, literary piece, or address. 2. to collect data and extract files, including coding and billing information, from a medical record. 3. (in pharmacology) the base in which other components are mixed and dissolved. 4. difficult to understand because of lack of practicality. 5. the process of gathering theoretical information to develop ideas with reference to the main idea.
