ablatitiousadj.
/ˌabləˈtɪʃəs/, U.S. /ˌæbləˈtɪʃəs/ Now rare.
That is to be subtracted; subtractive. Chiefly Astronomy: designating forces which must be subtracted in calculating the gravitational pull of the moon on the earth, the earth on the oceans, etc. Cf. addititious adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > mechanics > force > gravity > [adjective] > relating to measurement of gravity
ablatitious1715
gravimetric1873
1647 tr. W. Oughtred Key Math. xix. 103 For the Side of the Parallelogramme sought, put A: the ablatitious Portion [L. portio ablatitia] shall be AB−A.
1715 tr. D. Gregory Elements Astron. II. iv. §4. 522 Therefore the Action of S, the Sun's Body, being encreas'd as T comes nearer to it, the Ablatitious Force (or Force which is to be taken away) will be encreas'd.
1756 T. Amory Life John Buncle I. 177 If the moon in zenith or nadir did the work, the equilibrium of the Caspian might be destroyed, as well as any other equilibrium of water, by force, addititious or ablatitious, or by the sum of these forces.
1833 J. F. W. Herschel Astronomy xi. 365 The average effect arising from the mutual counteraction of these temporary values of the disturbing force gives the preponderance to the ablatitious or enfeebling power.
1910 Encycl. Brit. I. 65/2 In astronomy a force which interferes between the moon and the earth to lessen the strength of gravitation is called ‘ablatitious’, just as it is called ‘addititious’ when it increases that strength.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2009; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.1647