oblate
/'ɔbleit/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Having the equatorial diameter greater than the polar diameter; being flattened at the poles: In geometry and astronomy, this describes a sphere that is flattened at its poles, making its shape slightly elliptical when viewed from the side. This is the opposite of prolate.
Noun:
- A lay person dedicated to religious work or the religious life: In a religious context, this refers to a person, not a member of the clergy, who has formally dedicated themselves to the service of a monastery, church, or religious order, often while living in the secular world.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- The planet Saturn is noticeably oblate due to its rapid rotation.
- An oblate spheroid is a common model for the shape of the Earth.
Noun:
- She became an oblate of the Benedictine order, committing to a life of prayer and service.
- The monastery welcomed both monks and oblates into its spiritual community.
Advanced Usage
- "Oblate spheroid": A specific geometric term for a sphere flattened at the poles, like the shape of Earth and many other planets.
- Geodesy uses the oblate spheroid as a reference surface for mapping.
Variants and Related Words
- Oblateness (n): The quality or state of being oblate; the degree of flattening.
- The oblateness of Jupiter is easily observed through a telescope.
Synonyms
- Adjective: Flattened, ellipsoidal (when referring to the specific geometric shape).
- Noun: Lay associate, secular oblate, consecrated layperson.
Antonyms
- Adjective: Prolate (elongated at the poles).
Adjective
- having the equatorial diameter greater than the polar diameter; being flattened at the poles
Noun
- a lay person dedicated to religious work or the religious life