abstraction

Pronunciation: ab-strak′shŭn

Definition:

1. Distillation or separation of the volatile constituents of a substance.
2. Exclusive mental concentration.
3. The making of an abstract from the crude drug.
4. Malocclusion in which the teeth or associated structures are lower than their normal occlusal plane.
5. The processes or the results of discernment of formulation of general concepts from specific examples, and/or ascertainment of a given aspect of a concept from the whole.

[L. abs-traho, pp. -tractus, to draw away]

See Also: odontoptosis

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