The spelling of the word "oblates" can be a bit tricky. It is pronounced /ˈɑbləts/ which means there are two different ways to pronounce the letter "a". The first syllable should be pronounced with the "ah" sound as in "father" and the second syllable should be pronounced with the "uh" sound as in "cut". The letter "o" is pronounced with the short "o" sound as in "pot". The "-ates" ending is pronounced with the long "a" sound as in "gate".
Oblates (noun): The term "oblates" holds multiple meanings depending on the context in which it is used. These distinct definitions reflect varying areas of knowledge, including religion and science.
1. In religious context, oblates refer to individuals who have made a personal commitment to a religious order or monastery, though they are not ordained clergy themselves. Oblates strive to live their lives in accordance with the principles and practices of the religious order to which they are attached. They commonly commit to following a particular rule of life and often engage in regular prayer, service, and spiritual formation.
2. In scientific context, oblates are objects or celestial bodies that exhibit a flattened shape due to centrifugal force. When an object spins or rotates, centrifugal force causes it to flatten at the poles and bulge at the equator. These flattened objects are known as oblates, a term typically used to describe planets, stars, or other astronomical bodies. Mathematical ratios, such as the equatorial radius to the polar radius, can determine the degree to which an object is an oblate.
In conclusion, "oblates" can refer to committed individuals who follow a religious order while not serving as ordained clergy, as well as to flattened celestial bodies resulting from centrifugal force.
The word "oblates" has its origin in the Latin term "oblatus", which is the past participle of the verb "offerre". "Offerre" means "to offer" or "to present". In medieval Christian religious contexts, an "oblatus" referred to a person, usually a child, who was offered or dedicated to God for religious service. Over time, the term "oblatus" was adapted to various religious orders and communities, such as the Order of Saint Benedict, where "oblate" came to signify a layperson associated with a religious institution, often dedicated to its spiritual practices and sharing in its mission without being a fully professed religious.