abstract [LME] The Latin source of abstract, meant literally ‘drawn away’ and is from abstrahere, from the elements ab- ‘from’ and trahere ‘draw off’. The use in art dates from the mid 19th century. Trahere is found in many English words including: attract [LME] with ad ‘to’; portrait [M16th], something drawn; protract [E16th] with pro ‘out’; retract [LME] and retreat [ME], both drawing back; and words listed at *train.