Oblation vs. Ablation — What's the Difference?

Oblation, meaning an offering (Late Latin oblatio, from offerre, oblatum, to offer), is a term used, particularly in ecclesiastical use, for a solemn offering or presentation to God.

Ablation is removal or destruction of material from an object by vaporization, chipping, or other erosive processes. Examples of ablative materials are described below, and include spacecraft material for ascent and atmospheric reentry, ice and snow in glaciology, biological tissues in medicine and passive fire protection materials.

The act of offering something, such as worship or thanks, to a deity.

Surgical excision or amputation of a body part or tissue.

The act of offering the bread and wine of the Eucharist.

The erosive processes by which a glacier is reduced.

Something offered, especially the bread and wine of the Eucharist.

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.

A charitable offering or gift.

The reduction or removal of heat-protective surface material by aerodynamic friction, as from a heat shield.

The offering of worship, thanks etc. to a deity.

(obsolete) A carrying or taking away; removal.

(by extension) A deed or gift offered charitably.

(surgery) The surgical removal of a body part, an organ, or especially a tumor; the removal of an organ function; amputation.

The act of offering, or of making an offering.

(sciences) The progressive removal of material by any of a variety of processes such as melting or vaporization under heat or chipping.

Anything offered or presented in worship or sacred service; an offering; a sacrifice.

(geology) The removal of a glacier by melting and evaporation; the lowering of a land surface by any of several means, as in wind erosion or mass wasting.

A gift or contribution made to a church, as for the expenses of the eucharist, or for the support of the clergy and the poor.

(meteorology) The depletion of surface snow and ice from a spacecraft or meteorite through melting and evaporation caused by friction with the atmosphere.

The act of contributing to the funds of a church or charity;

A carrying or taking away; removal.

The act of offering the bread and wine of the Eucharist

Extirpation.

Wearing away; superficial waste.

Surgical removal of a body part or tissue

The erosive process that reduces the size of glaciers