To save this word, you'll need to log in.
Definition of ablative absolute
: a construction in Latin in which a noun or pronoun and its adjunct both in the ablative case form together an adverbial phrase expressing generally the time, cause, or an attendant circumstance of an action
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on ablative absolute
What made you want to look up ablative absolute? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
July 2020 Words of the Day Quiz
- Which is a synonym of mien?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Share ablative absolute
Time Traveler for ablative absolute
The first known use of ablative absolute was in 1631
See more words from the same year