Ablation Definition
ă-blāshən
noun
The erosive processes by which a glacier is reduced.
American Heritage
The dissipation of heat generated by atmospheric friction, especially in the atmospheric reentry of a spacecraft or missile, by means of a melting heat shield.
American Heritage
The reduction or removal of heat-protective surface material by aerodynamic friction, as from a heat shield.
American Heritage
Surgical excision or amputation of a body part or tissue.
American Heritage Medicine
(medicine) The surgical removal of a body part, an organ, or especially a tumor; the removal of an organ function; amputation. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.]
Wiktionary
Other Word Forms of Ablation
Noun
Singular:
ablation
Plural:
ablationsOrigin of Ablation
-
Late Latin ablātiō ablātiōn- from Latin ablātus past participle of auferre to carry away ab- away ab–1 lātus carried telə- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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From Middle French and Latin ablātiō (“a taking away"), from ablātus (“removed"), the perfect passive participle of auferō (“carry away"). Compare French ablation.
From Wiktionary
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