From: Dr Balwinder S Dheeman <bsd.SANSPAM@...>
Date: 2005-05-09T06:44:22+09:00
Subject: Re: [ETYMOLOGY] - Sterile Classes / Sterile Meta Classes

On 05/08/2005 08:43 PM, Yukihiro Matsumoto wrote:
> I'd like to emphasize the "per-object" attribute of the object.
> Ideally, the term should be "xxxx class" where 
> 
>   * xxxx describe the class is per-object.
>   * xxxx is an adjective, or a noun that can be used like adjective.
>   * we can call methods now we call "singleton methods" as xxxx
>     methods for consistency.
> 
> In this standard, "singleton" is the best I can think of, unless name
> conflict.  Sad coincidence.

 From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

   Abstract \Ab"stract`\, n. [See {Abstract}, a.]
      1. That which comprises or concentrates in itself the
         essential qualities of a larger thing or of several
         things. Specifically: A summary or an epitome, as of a
         treatise or book, or of a statement; a brief.
         [1913 Webster]

               An abstract of every treatise he had read. --Watts.
         [1913 Webster]

               Man, the abstract
               Of all perfection, which the workmanship
               Of Heaven hath modeled.               --Ford.
         [1913 Webster]

      2. A state of separation from other things; as, to consider a
         subject in the abstract, or apart from other associated
         things.
         [1913 Webster]

      3. An abstract term.
         [1913 Webster]

               The concretes "father" and "son" have, or might
               have, the abstracts "paternity" and "filiety." --J.
                                                     S. Mill.
         [1913 Webster]

So as per 2nd definition above, how is about...

'abstract class'
'abstract objects'
'abstract methods'

Hope that helps.
-- 
Dr Balwinder Singh Dheeman            Registered Linux User: #229709
CLLO (Chief Linux Learning Officer)   Machines: #168573, 170593, 259192
Anu's Linux@HOME                      Distros: Ubuntu, Fedora, Knoppix
More: http://anu.homelinux.net/~bsd/  Visit: http://counter.li.org/