The origin and the meaning of "Abstract Syntax Tree" This question is closely related to Does an abstract syntax tree have to be a tree? and is partially answered there, but I would like to be more precise and to have more concise answers.


What is the origin of the term?
Are there any formal definitions of AST?
If I understand correctly the spirit of the use of "AST" term, it is a misnomer: an AST is any combinatorial object or datum that one tries to represent by strings of characters using more or less simple syntax that should ideally reflect the internal structure of the object/datum.  For example, in first-order logic and in lambda calculus, expressions like
$(\forall x)(x = x)$ or $(\lambda x.x)$
do not really represent trees because bound variables introduce loops.
Do I understand correctly?


Basically, I broke up here in simpler pieces a single question: What is AST?
Without answering parts (1) and (2) the answer will probably be incomplete or hard to verify, and if (1) and (2) are answered, an answer to (3) probably should follow.



Update

I have realized that it is not the "syntax tree" that is abstract, but the syntax.  This clarifies the terminology to me and makes this question less relevant.  Basically, I parsed "abstract syntax tree" incorrectly.

I also provided an answer to the related question.
You are asking three questions.  I will answer one.

I don't think "abstract syntax tree" is a misnomer.  It aims to represent the syntax of the expression.  It is not claimed to represent all of the meaning (semantics) of the expression.  The issue with bound variables that you mention relates to semantics rather than syntax.

Also, remember that names are merely that: references to some concept, to serve as an aid to communication.  Sometimes the concept is subtle or nuanced enough that no name is going to fully represent all the complexities of the concept, so we choose the best name we can (while keeping it fairly short).  And a name is just an aid to communication, so not all concepts have a fully precise, rigorous definition -- if it is used in a way that aids understanding and facilitates communication, that is often  OK.