ablative — ONAD

ablative /ˈablədiv, ˈæblədɪv

▸ adjective [attributive]

1 Grammar relating to or denoting a case (especially in Latin) of nouns and pronouns (and words in grammatical agreement with them) indicating separation or an agent, instrument, or location.

2 (of surgical treatment) involving ablation:

all nine patients were treated by ablative surgery.

3 relating to or subject to ablation through melting or evaporation:

the spacecraft's ablative heat shield.

▸ noun Grammar a word in the ablative case.

▪ (the ablative) the ablative case.

– ORIGIN late Middle English : from Old French ablative (feminine of ablatif), Latin ablativus, from ablat- ‘taken away’ (see ablation).