spatulate

adjective

spat·​u·​late ˈspa-chə-lət How to pronounce spatulate (audio)
: shaped like a spatula
a spatulate leaf
spatulate spines of a caterpillar
a spatulate tool
see leaf illustration

Examples of spatulate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The spatulate teeth, which are absent in adult Diplodocus, are found in some other sauropod groups. Claire Cleveland, Discover Magazine, 11 Oct. 2018 Andrew’s skull has peg teeth in the front, a narrow snout and spoonlike spatulate teeth in the back. Claire Cleveland, Discover Magazine, 11 Oct. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1760, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spatulate was circa 1760

Dictionary Entries Near spatulate

Cite this Entry

“Spatulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spatulate. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

spatulate

1 of 2 adjective
spat·​u·​late -lət How to pronounce spatulate (audio)
: shaped like a spatula or a spoon

spatulate

2 of 2 transitive verb
spat·​u·​late ˈspach-ə-ˌlāt How to pronounce spatulate (audio)
spatulated; spatulating
: to mix or treat with a spatula
after the powder has been incorporated in the water, the mass is spatulated thoroughlyM. G. Swenson
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