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abstractionism

American  
[ab-strak-shuh-niz-uhm] / æbˈstræk ʃəˌnɪz əm /

noun

Fine Arts.
  1. the practice and theory of abstract art.


abstractionism British  
/ æbˈstrækʃəˌnɪzəm /

noun

  1. the theory and practice of the abstract, esp of abstract art

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • abstractionist noun

Etymology

Origin of abstractionism

1905–10, for an earlier sense; abstraction + -ism

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Mr. Khrushchev, who had simple tastes and was facing serious political challenges, flew into a rage against abstractionism and made threats of coercion.

From New York Times • Apr. 1, 2017

Harris's book tells the story of English art's journey away from pure abstractionism to a tactile, particularising concern with the local and the contingent, with "stones and leaves".

From The Guardian • Dec. 2, 2010

Successive waves of impressionism, cubism, and finally abstractionism swept them from museum walls and sent their prices sinking in the auction houses.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Armory Show of 1913, in which modern European art first burst upon America, introduced Davis to abstractionism, and in 1927 he clamped onto it for good.

From Time Magazine Archive

Professor Joseph Schumpeter, of Vienna, carries out economic abstractionism to its logical limits, both in "statics" and in "dynamics."

From Social Value A Study in Economic Theory Critical and Constructive by Anderson, Benjamin M. (Benjamin McAlester)