Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • intransitive verb Medicine To remove or destroy the function of (a body organ or tissue).
  • intransitive verb To remove by erosion, melting, evaporation, or vaporization.
  • intransitive verb To become ablated; undergo ablation.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • To take away; remove.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • verb remove an organ or bodily structure
  • verb wear away through erosion or vaporization

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Back-formation from ablation.]

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Examples

  • The base of Orion's heat shield will endure the most heat and will erode away or "ablate" in a controlled fashion - transporting heat away during the descent through the atmosphere.

    Signs of the Times 2009

  • Orion's heat shield, the dish-shaped thermal protection system at the base of the spacecraft, will endure the most heat and will erode, or "ablate," in a controlled fashion, transporting heat away from the crew module during its descent through the atmosphere.

    PhysOrg.com - latest science and technology news stories 2009

  • Orion's heat shield, the dish-shaped thermal protection system at the base of the spacecraft, will endure the most heat and will erode, or "ablate," in a controlled fashion, transporting heat away from the crew module during its descent through the atmosphere.

    unknown title 2009

  • Orion's heat shield, the dish-shaped thermal protection system at the base of the spacecraft, will endure the most heat and will erode, or "ablate," in a controlled fashion, transporting heat away from the crew module during its descent through the atmosphere.

    collectSPACE Today In Space History 2009

  • Orion's heat shield, the dish-shaped thermal protection system at the base of the spacecraft, will endure the most heat and will erode, or "ablate," in a controlled fashion, transporting heat away from the crew module during its descent through the atmosphere.

    collectSPACE Today In Space History 2009

  • Dr. Boothe the excimer laser uses a cool ultraviolet light beam to precisely remove ( "ablate") very tiny bits of tissue from the cornea to reshape it.

    TravelPod.com Recent Updates 2008

  • So very tired, yet we tried ... to ablate the tide.

    Ghazal Of The Calcium Channel Blockade Dennis Mahagin 2011

  • Medtronic has said that its Cardioblate devices received FDA approval to "ablate cardiac tissue" and "ablate soft tissue" during "general surgery" or "cardiac surgery."

    Surgical-Device Firms Walk Fine Line Thomas M. Burton 2010

  • Medtronic has said that its Cardioblate devices received FDA approval to "ablate cardiac tissue" and "ablate soft tissue" during "general surgery" or "cardiac surgery."

    Surgical-Device Firms Walk Fine Line Thomas M. Burton 2010

  • Medtronic has said that its Cardioblate devices received FDA approval to "ablate cardiac tissue" and "ablate soft tissue" during "general surgery" or "cardiac surgery."

    Surgical-Device Firms Walk Fine Line Thomas M. Burton 2010

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