OBLATE

oblate, pumpkin-shaped

(adjective) having the equatorial diameter greater than the polar diameter; being flattened at the poles

oblate

(noun) a lay person dedicated to religious work or the religious life

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology 1

Noun

oblate (plural oblates)

(Roman Catholicism) 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.

A child given up by its parents into the keeping or dedication of a religious order or house.

Etymology 2

Adjective

oblate (comparative more oblate, superlative most oblate)

Flattened or depressed at the poles.

Antonyms

• prolate

Etymology 3

Verb

oblate (third-person singular simple present oblates, present participle oblating, simple past and past participle oblated)

To offer as either a gift or an oblation

Anagrams

• boatel, lobate

Source: Wiktionary

Ob*late", a. Etym: [L. oblatus, used as p.p. of offerre to bring forward, offer, dedicate; ob (see Ob-) + latus borne, for tlatus. See Tolerate.]

1. (Geom.)

Definition: Flattened or depressed at the poles; as, the earth is an oblate spheroid.

2. Offered up; devoted; consecrated; dedicated; -- used chiefly or only in the titles of Roman Catholic orders. See Oblate, n. Oblate ellipsoid or spheroid (Geom.), a solid generated by the revolution of an ellipse about its minor axis; an oblatum. See Ellipsoid of revolution, under Ellipsoid.

Ob*late", n. Etym: [From Oblate, a.] (R.C.Ch.) (a) One of an association of priests or religious women who have offered themselves to the service of the church. There are three such associations of priests, and one of women, called oblates. (b) One of the Oblati.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition