spatulate

[ spach-uh-lit, -leyt ]

adjective

1. shaped like a spatula; rounded more or less like a spoon.
2. Botany. having a broad, rounded end and a narrow, attenuate base, as a leaf.

spatulate

/ ˈspætjʊlɪt /

adjective

1. shaped like a spatula
2. Alsospathulate botany having a narrow base and a broad rounded apex

   a spatulate leaf

Other Words From

• sub·spatu·late adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spatulate¹

From the New Latin word spatulātus, dating back to 1750–60. See spatula, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

The copy editor might suggest that a writer tighten up a particular passage, ditch unpleasant punctuation, switch a sentence around or — taking into account that we all sometimes unconsciously favor certain words — stop using “spatulate” all the time.

From New York Times

It’s a foofy red smelly flower with spatulate petals.

From Washington Post

As they report in Plant Species Biology, the petals of Drosera tokaiensis and Drosera spatulate fold up within two to 10 minutes after parts of their stem, calyx, or closed flowers are pressed with tweezers.

From National Geographic

Beehler’s 100‑day account is both deeply informed by conservation science and history, and lit by euphoric moments such as seeing roseate spoonbills duelling with “absurd spatulate bills”, or a cerulean tide of blue jays in flight over Wisconsin wolf country.

From Nature

There’s something about that flared, spatulate bill that we find endearing, and humans are drawn to defend the charismatic, the peculiar, and the unique.

From Scientific American