ablate

[ a-bleyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ab·lat·ed, ab·lat·ing.

1. to remove or dissipate by melting, vaporization, erosion, etc.:

   to ablate a metal surface with intense heat.

verb (used without object)

, ab·lat·ed, ab·lat·ing.

1. to become ablated; undergo ablation.

ablate

/ æbˈleɪt /

verb

1. tr to remove by ablation

Word History and Origins

Origin of ablate¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin ablātus “carried away,” past participle of auferre “to carry away,” from au-, variant of ab- ab- + ferre “to bear, bring, carry”; for the element -lātus, earlier tlātus (unrecorded), thole ²( def ), tolerate ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of ablate¹

C20: back formation from ablation

Example Sentences

So it is very plausible that low-density stuff from Bennu … would ablate higher in the atmosphere and not have a chance to create meteorites at all.

From Science News