English Dictionary - With Multi-Lingual Search

English

Pronunciation
a|UK IPA|/��bleɪt/
a|US IPA|/��bleɪt/

Etymology 1
From French oblat and its source, post-classical Latin oblatus �person dedicated to religious life�, a noun use of the past participle of offerre �to offer�.

Noun
en-noun

1. italbrac|Roman Catholic Church A person dedicated to a life of religion or monasticism, especially a member of an order without religious vows or a lay member of a religious community.
2. A child given up by its parents into the keeping or dedication of a religious order or house.

#*2007: The Venerable Bede started as an oblate at St Paul's, Jarrow, but by the time of his death in 735 was surely the most learned man in Europe. � Tom Shippey, �I Lerne Song�, London Review of Books 29:4, p. 19

Etymology 2
From post-classical Latin oblatus, from Latin ob- + latus|l�tus past participle of ferre �to carry� (modelled after prolatus).

Adjective
en-adj

1. Flattened or depressed at the poles.

#*1922: Why should I not speak to him or to any human being who walks upright upon this oblate orange? � James Joyce, Ulysses
#*1997: � �Tis prolate, still,� with a long dejected Geordie O. �Isn�t it�?� �I�m an Astronomer,� trust me, �tis gone well to oblate.� � Thomas Pynchon, Mason & Dixon

Antonyms
prolate

fr:oblate
vi:oblate
zh:oblate

• 2007-12-09 11:50 - Frous - /* Etymology 1 */

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