But the court there answered an abstract question; it did not rule in a live prosecution.

These are not abstract questions for philosophy courses or searching editorials.

They didn't see his past despair over abstract questions of existence itself that he had abandoned in defeat.

"Certainly the only one of this bunch who understands abstract questions."

For were they not discussing a purely abstract question?

Suppose you tell me just what's on your mind, instead of beating around the bush with abstract questions.

But the subject of the Times is not an abstract question.

No one sees it as an abstract question either.

But polls that ask abstract questions have no predictive value.

Until recently, such abstract questions have mostly been grist for academic debate.