Ablate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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ablate
[æbˈleɪt ]
Definition
medical procedure
Ablate refers to the removal or destruction of tissue, typically through surgical or medical intervention. It is commonly used in contexts involving the treatment of tumors or other abnormal growths. The term can also refer to the gradual wear or erosion of a material due to physical or chemical processes.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Doctors often ablate tumors to prevent cancer spread.
- The procedure can ablate tissue with lasers.
- They will focus on ablate methods for cardiac arrhythmia.
- Cryoablation can effectively ablate unwanted cells.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Science
- In aerospace engineering, ablation protects spacecraft during re-entry by removing outer materials to dissipate heat.
- Medical procedures like laser surgery often use ablation to remove tissues, enhancing precision in treatments.
- The phenomenon of ablation can also occur in glaciology, where glaciers lose mass through melting, sublimation, or calving.
Technology
- Modern advancements in laser technology have made ablation a safe and effective technique in various fields, including dermatology and surface engineering.
- Researchers develop materials that undergo controlled ablation to create microstructures for electronics, enhancing device performance.
- Ablation is also utilized in wind tunnel testing to study aerodynamic properties of models by removing material progressively.
Cultural References
- In literature, particularly science fiction, concepts of ablation are explored in stories about advanced technology and spacecraft.
- Some contemporary artworks use techniques that mimic ablation, emphasizing the removal of material as a thematic element.
- Movies often depict dramatic scenes of spacecraft experiencing ablation during high-speed re-entry, highlighting the dangers of space travel.
Health
- In cardiology, catheter ablation is used to treat arrhythmias by destroying small areas of heart tissue that cause irregular rhythms.
- Ablation therapies are gaining popularity in oncology for targeting tumors, showcasing the technique's versatility in medical science.
- Research continues into the effectiveness of various energy sources, such as radiofrequency and microwave ablation, on different tissue types.
Origin of 'ablate'
Main points about word origin
- The term comes from the Latin word 'ablatus', meaning 'taken away'.
- In scientific literature, it first appeared in the 20th century, primarily in contexts related to physics and engineering.
- The prefix 'ab-' means 'away from', and 'later' derives from 'ferre', meaning 'to carry', emphasizing the idea of material being carried away.
The term 'ablate' originates from the Latin word 'ablatus,' which is the past participle of 'auferre,' meaning to take away. The prefix 'ab-' means 'away from,' while 'late' comes from 'latum,' meaning to bear or carry. In the scientific context, the term began to be used in the late 20th century, particularly in medical and engineering fields, to describe the removal of substances or the elimination of biological tissues. Its usage has continued to expand as new technologies and treatments have been developed that utilize ablation methods, such as lasers and radiation. The concept has significant implications in various fields, including surgery, aerospace engineering, and materials science.