aˈblāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin ablation-, ablatio, from Latin ablatus + -ion-, -io -ion
1. : removal
2. : removal of an organ or part by surgery
ablation of the appendix
or of an activity by other means
ablation of ovarian function by radiation
3.
a. : decrease in volume of ice, névé, or snow in or on a glacier primarily as a result of melting and evaporation — compare alimentation
b. : lowering of a land surface by wind erosion or weathering agents
the warming of the polar seas leads to ablation of the ice caps
4. : the process of ablating