Abstract algebra/Talk

Is it common usage to call a group "an abstract algebra"? I think of abstract algebra as a field of mathematics which studies algebraic structures such as groups. And the term "abstract" is only used if there is a need to distinguish it from elementary or college algebra. Maybe there's also a confusion with universal algebra? --AxelBoldt

I thought it was a bit odd too. I would have used the term "algebraic system". In universal algebra they would just be called "algebras" (except for modules and vector spaces, which don't qualify because of the external multiplication). I'm not sure what to do about it at the moment. In any case, we need an article on universal algebra. --Zundark, 2001-09-04