The word 'ablative' describes something that removes, diminishes, or takes away. It can refer to a substance or process causing removal, especially in a destructive or detrimental manner, such as eroding or wearing away. It can also relate to a grammatical case expressing separation, origin, or removal. The term is versatile, encompassing physical erosion, surgical procedures, and figurative losses like memory erasure. The core concept centers on the action or effect of taking something away, separating, or reducing its integrity.
Ablative meaning with examples
- The relentless desert wind had an ablative effect on the sandstone cliffs, slowly wearing them down over millennia. This natural process caused a significant reduction in their size and sculpted them into unique formations. The continuous erosion illustrated the power of ablative forces reshaping the landscape. Without protection, the cliffs are doomed to undergo continual ablative processes.
- Laser surgery offers an ablative treatment, carefully vaporizing a thin layer of tissue to reshape the cornea. This technique corrects refractive errors by removing corneal material. Precise control is crucial during ablative procedures to ensure desired outcomes. Such advanced applications use the ablative nature of lasers to restore vision with careful precision.
- The traumatic accident had an ablative effect on her memory, leaving her with gaps in her recollections of the past. The distressing event caused the erasure of specific experiences. This exemplifies the ablative potential of trauma on the mind, causing the destruction of pathways. The ablative impact left fragments which caused recurring distress.
- In Latin, the ablative case indicates the means, agency, place from which, or time when an action occurs; the preposition 'a' and 'ab' are used in the ablative case. The ablative form offers a distinct grammatical function, setting apart nouns and pronouns. Correct application is essential for constructing complex sentences with nuanced meanings. Its use avoids ambiguity.
Ablative Synonyms
depleting destructive diminishing eroding erosive removing separatingAblative Antonyms
additive building constructive integrative preserving restorativeAblative Crossword Answers
12 Letters
ABLATIVECASE