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ablative

1 American  
[ab-luh-tiv] / ˈæb lə tɪv /

adjective

  1. (in some inflected languages) noting a case that has among its functions the indication of place from which or, as in Latin, place in which, manner, means, instrument, or agent.


noun

  1. the ablative case. abl.

  2. a word in that case, as Troiā in Latin Aenēas Troiā vēnit, “Aeneas came from Troy.”

ablative 2 American  
[a-bley-tiv] / æˈbleɪ tɪv /

adjective

  1. capable of or susceptible to ablation; tending to ablate.

    the ablative nose cone of a rocket.


ablative British  
/ ˈæblətɪv /

adjective

  1. (in certain inflected languages such as Latin) denoting a case of nouns, pronouns, and adjectives indicating the agent in passive sentences or the instrument, manner, or place of the action described by the verb

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

    1. the ablative case

    2. a word or speech element in the ablative case

  1. taking away or removing

    ablative surgery

  2. able to disintegrate or be worn away at a very high temperature

    a thick layer of ablative material

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of ablative1

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Latin word ablātīvus. See ablate, -ive

Origin of ablative2

First recorded in 1560–70; ablate + -ive

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Grūs is declined like sūs, except that the Dative and Ablative Plural are always gruibus.

From New Latin Grammar by Bennett, Charles E. (Charles Edwin)

With verbs of buying and selling, price is designated by the Ablative; as— servum quīnque minīs ēmit, he bought the slave for five minae.

From New Latin Grammar by Bennett, Charles E. (Charles Edwin)

The Ablative is used to denote cause; as,— multa glōriae cupiditāte fēcit, he did many things on account of his love of glory.

From New Latin Grammar by Bennett, Charles E. (Charles Edwin)

The Dative and Ablative Plural are always alike.

From New Latin Grammar by Bennett, Charles E. (Charles Edwin)

Adjectives and līberō may take the preposition ab,—regularly so with the Ablative of persons; as,— urbem ā tyrannō līberārunt, they freed the city from the tyrant.

From New Latin Grammar by Bennett, Charles E. (Charles Edwin)

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