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.

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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.

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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

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noun

1. 1. the ablative case

   2. a word or speech element in the ablative case

2. taking away or removing

   ablative surgery

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

   a thick layer of ablative material

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• ablatival
  adjective
• ablatively
  adverb

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

In early Latin, sēd occurs as Accusative and Ablative.

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

The Ablative with cum is used to denote manner; as,— cum gravitāte loquitur, he speaks with dignity.

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)

The Ablative of Separation is construed sometimes with, sometimes without, a preposition.

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

Why did you use the Ablative in the second sentence?”

From Betty Lee, Freshman by Grove, Harriet Pyne