OBLATE Meaning and
Definition
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Oblate, as an adjective, describes a shape, form, or object that is flatter or wider at its equatorial region than at its polar ends. This term stems from the Latin word "oblatus," meaning "flattened or widened". Oblate objects often resemble an ellipse or an oval, where the distance between the extreme points of the longer axis is greater than that of the shorter axis. In the context of astronomy, oblate refers to the shape of celestial bodies such as planets or stars that are slightly compressed at the poles and bulging at the equator. The Earth is a prime example of an oblate spheroid, as it exhibits a visible flattening at the poles and a slight bulge at the equator due to its rotation. Additionally, "oblate" can also describe certain fruits, such as oranges or melons, that possess a flattened or elongated shape. In mathematics, oblate is commonly used in geometry to describe the shape of certain 3D figures, such as an oblate ellipsoid, which resembles a flattened sphere. Overall, oblate characterizes a shape that is broader or flatter at the midpoint than at its extremities.
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• Flattened or depressed at the poles, as a spheroid; shaped like an orange.
• Offered up; dedicated; in the R. Cath. Ch., used of secular persous who, on embracing a monastic life, have given all their goods to the monastery of which they have become members.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for OBLATE
Etymology of OBLATE
The word "oblate" comes from the Latin word "oblatus", which is the past participle of "offerre". "Offerre" is a combination of "ob-" (meaning "toward" or "to") and "ferre" (meaning "to bring" or "to carry"). Therefore, "oblate" originally meant "one who has been brought or offered toward something". In a theological sense, the term referred to individuals who dedicated their lives to serving God and others. Over time, the word expanded in usage and came to be applied to various contexts and meanings.
Similar spelling word for OBLATE
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