spatulate

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   shaped like a spatula, with a broad rounded end that narrows toward the base

   The machine gripped the clay with two broad, spatulate hands.

2. 2
   verb

   to mix or treat a material with a spatula

   The technician will spatulate the powder into the liquid until the paste is smooth.

From spatula + -ate, modeled on scientific Latin spatulatus, 'spatula-shaped.' The adjective names the broad, flattened outline; the technical verb later developed for working a substance with a spatula.

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