Concept

An abstract idea inferred or derived from particular instances (e.g., cognition, temperament).  Concepts can also represent physical objects such as a table and chair as well as their relationships.  They serve to relate facts to theories and propositions, and in this way can become variables.  A concept, however, is more encompassing than a variable.  So, for example, status and role are concepts, while ranking status according to social class is a variable.

See Construct, Foundational knowledge, Pragmatism, Variable