abstractedlyadv.
/əbˈstraktᵻdli/, U.S. /əbˈstræktədli/, /æbˈstræktədli/ 1. From an abstract point of view; in the abstract; abstractly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > substantiality or concreteness > unsubstantiality or abstractness > [adverb] > in an abstract manner
abstractedly1610
abstractively1611
1610 E. Bolton Elements of Armories xv. 89 Truly Mathematical lines, abstractedly considered, are manifest, adhering (or inhering rather) without any possibility of separation from the conceaued Image.
1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar iii. §17 If we consider a spiritual life abstractedly, and in itself.
1718 Free-thinker No. 64. 2 Some of our Schematists might be able to project a Form of Law, &c. which abstractedly considered may appear as useful as that, which we enjoy.
1790 E. Burke Refl. Revol. in France 8 Abstractedly speaking, government, as well as liberty, is good. View more context for this quotation
1827 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey IV. vi. iv. 162 A constitutional freedom, the absence of which they can only abstractedly feel.
1858 Jrnl. Soc. Arts 19 Feb. 211/2 Many of the points..had arisen through the abstractedly scientific discoveries made by others.
1925 Philos. Rev. 34 214 To comprehend such an organic whole, we cannot tear it apart, conceive its functions..in mere isolation, abstractedly.
1991 N. Rossman Consciousness iv. 78 This problem needs to be faced on both an abstract and a concrete level. Abstractedly, what needs to be shown is [etc.].
2. Separately, independently, or aside from a particular context or related matters.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > [adverb] > existing independently
absolutelyc1450
positively1597
abstractedly1656
1656 R. Sanderson 20 Serm. 132 We consider it [sc. a thing pursued] abstractedly from those discommodiousnesses and encombrances, which yet inseparably cleave thereunto.
1682 R. Creighton Vanity of Dissenters Plea 22 Men can neither talk nor think of their Christian Duties abstractedly from this or that mode of Worship that accompanies them.
1741 C. Middleton Hist. Life Cicero II. vii. 84 If we consider this famous passage of the Rubicon, abstractedly from the event, it seems to have been..hazardous & desperate.
1796 N.-Y. Mag. Nov. 600/1 She perceives a pleasure in the very act of suckling, abstractedly from mental feelings of reflection.
1831 T. Pringle Suppl. Hist. Mary Prince 40 Abstractedly from all legal technicalities, there is no real difference.
1865 J. S. Mill Represent. Govt. 24/2 Abstractedly from religious considerations, a passive character..may not indeed be very useful to others.
1906 D. Macleane Reason, Thought, & Lang. iii. 37 There is a science of Being as Being, abstractedly from this, that and the other thing.
1998 A. Y. Potekhin in P. Schmelcher & W. Schweizer Atoms & Molecules in Strong External Fields 49 An atom cannot be considered abstractedly from its thermal motion.
3. In a distant, distracted, or preoccupied manner; absent-mindedly.Now the most common sense.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > mental wandering > abstraction, absent-mindedness > [adverb]
absentlya1631
amusively1776
abstractedly1827
absent-mindedly1857
dreamily1861
preoccupiedly1884
1827 ‘R. St. Clair’ Fashionables & Unfashionables I. ix. 127 Sir William continued to gaze abstractedly from a window for a few moments.
1839 C. Dickens Nicholas Nickleby viii. 69 ‘Where, indeed!’ said Nicholas abstractedly.
1866 ‘G. Eliot’ Felix Holt III. xxxvii. 47 The minister paused, and seemed to be abstractedly gazing at some memory.
1919 J. Conrad Arrow of Gold i. i. 11 I being alone and idle, stared abstractedly.
1983 ‘A. T. Ellis’ Other Side of Fire (1985) xxii. 145 Claudia looked at her abstractedly. She didn't seem to be listening.
2001 J. Coe Rotters' Club (2002) 188 My cub reporter's pencil, upon which I have been sucking abstractedly, breaks off between my teeth.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2011; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adv.1610