oblate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a lay person dedicated to religious work or the religious life
  2. adjective having the equatorial diameter greater than the polar diameter; being flattened at the poles
    pumpkin-shaped.

WordNet

Ob*late" adjective
Etymology
L. oblatus, used as p.p. of offerre to bring forward, offer, dedicate; ob (see Ob-) + latus borne, for tlatus. See Tolerate.
Definitions
  1. (Geom.) 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.
Ob*late" noun
Etymology
From Oblate, a.
Definitions
  1. (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.

Webster 1913