ablative

What is another word for ablative? Here is its meaning, with related words and examples.

Adjective — Relating to the grammatical case that, in languages such as Latin, chiefly marks removal, separation or the means by which something is done.

We haven't recorded synonyms for ablative yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.

How to use ablative

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

ablative case ablative heat shield ablative material ablative coating

This is a specialist word, at home in grammar textbooks and engineering rather than everyday speech.

Etymology

The word reached English through Middle English ablatif, taken from Old French ablatif, which in turn came from Latin ablātīvus, meaning expressing removal. That Latin word was built on ablātus, taken away, from the verb auferō, to take away. The engineering and rocketry sense arose later within English, formed from ab...

Full origin of ablative →

Frequently asked questions

What does ablative mean in grammar?

It describes the case used in languages like Latin for ideas such as removal, separation, instrument or place. English does not mark this case on its nouns.

What is an ablative heat shield?

It is a heat shield built from material that deliberately chars and wears away during re-entry, carrying heat off with it and protecting the structure beneath.

Where does the word ablative come from?

It traces back through Old French to the Latin ablātīvus, from ablātus meaning taken away, ultimately from the verb auferō, to take away.

Nearby words

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