ab·la·tion ( -bl  sh n)n. 1. Surgical excision or amputation of a body part or tissue. 2. The erosive processes by which a glacier is reduced. 3. Aerospace a. The dissipation of heat generated by atmospheric friction, especially in the atmospheric reentry of a spacecraft or missile, by means of a melting heat shield. b. The reduction or removal of heat-protective surface material by aerodynamic friction, as from a heat shield. [Late Latin abl ti , abltin-, from Latin abltus, past participle of auferre, to carry away : ab-, away; see ab-1 + ltus, carried; see tel- in Indo-European roots.]ab·la tor n. |
ablator [æbˈleɪtə]
n
(Astronautics) the heat shield of a space vehicle, which melts or wears away during re-entry into the earth's atmosphere
[from ablation]
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