Ablation
/əˈbleɪʃən/noun
The removal of material from a surface, especially by melting, vaporization, erosion, or surgical excision.
Did you know?Ablation shares its Latin ancestry with the grammatical term “ablative,” a case historically associated with separation or movement away from something.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bher-
“To carry, bear, or transport”
Classical Latin
Latin
ferre
“To carry or bear”
Classical Latin
Latin
auferre
“To carry away or remove; formed with ab-, “away from,” plus ferre, “to carry””
Late Latin
Latin
ablatio
“A carrying away, removal, or taking away”
14th Century
Old French
ablation
“Removal or taking away”
15th Century
English
ablation
“The act of removing or taking away”
Modern English
English
ablation
“The removal of material, including through heat, erosion, or surgery”