semiconcrete

7.9

Partly real and partly an idea

adjective
/ˌsɛmɪkənˈkriːt/

: semiconcreto

Some mathematical objects are considered semiconcrete because they have both abstract and tangible aspects.

Examples

In art, a semiconcrete form might suggest a recognizable object without fully depicting it.
The sculpture has a semiconcrete quality that intrigues viewers.
The theory uses semiconcrete examples to help students understand the main idea.
This idea is semiconcrete.
The theory uses semiconcrete examples to help students understand the main idea.
Some mathematical objects are considered semiconcrete because they have both abstract and tangible aspects.
In art, a semiconcrete form might suggest a recognizable object without fully depicting it.

Synonyms

semiabstract

vssemiconcrete

1 7.7

Partly not realistic art that shows shapes like people or animals

leans toward tangible, partly realistic qualities rather than stylized abstraction

Antonyms

abstract

70 7.4

Existing as an idea and not as a physical thing

How Concrete

concrete

156 3.9

tangible

2 3.9

physical

480 2.7

semiconcrete

7.9

abstract

70 7.4

Surface Forms

semiconcrete positive

Morphology

semiconcrete = concrete (transparent) = semi + concrete

The word is a straightforward prefixation of 'semi-' meaning partly or half plus 'concrete', so the sense 'partly concrete' is compositionally clear.

Etymology

The word semiconcrete joins semi- ('partly') and concrete ('solid' or 'real'), with semi- used like in semicircle to mean 'half'. So semiconcrete describes something that is partly real or touchable and partly not, which is why we use it for ideas, math objects, or art that are not fully concrete.