Ablate

v. remove by cutting, remove surgically; remove by melting, remove through evaporation

Ablation is defined as the removal of material from the surface of an object by vaporization, chipping, or other erosive processes. The term occurs in space physics associated with atmospheric reentry, in glaciology, medicine and passive fire protection.
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Verb
1. wear away through erosion or vaporization
(hypernym) wear, wear off, wear out, wear thin
(derivation) ablation
2. remove an organ or bodily structure
(hypernym) remove, take, take away, withdraw
(derivation) ablation, extirpation, cutting out, excision
(classification) operation, surgery, surgical operation, surgical procedure, surgical process

v. ablate, remove by cutting, remove surgically; remove by melting, remove through evaporation

To remove, usually by cutting. At surgery a tumor may be ablated.