prolate (redirected from prolately)

pro·late  (prlt)

adj.

1. Having the shape of a spheroid generated by rotating an ellipse about its longer axis.

2. Having the polar axis longer than the equatorial diameter: a prolate spheroid.

---

[Latin prltus, past participle of prferre, to stretch out : pr-, forth; see pro-¹ + ltus, brought; see tel- in Indo-European roots.]

---

prolately adv.

prolateness n.

---

prolate [ˈprəʊleɪt]

adj

(Mathematics) having a polar diameter of greater length than the equatorial diameter Compare oblate¹

[from Latin prōferre to enlarge]

prolately  adv

prolateness  n

---

oblate, prolate - Oblate means "flattened at the poles," and the opposite is prolate; the Earth is an oblate spheroid.

See also related terms for poles.

Thesaurus

Adj.	1.	prolate - having the polar diameter greater than the equatorial diameter; "a prolate spheroid is generated by revolving an ellipse about its major axis" watermelon-shaped rounded - curving and somewhat round in shape rather than jagged; "low rounded hills"; "rounded shoulders" oblate, pumpkin-shaped - having the equatorial diameter greater than the polar diameter; being flattened at the poles
	2.	prolate - rounded like an egg elliptical, oval, oval-shaped, egg-shaped, oviform, ovoid, elliptic, ovate rounded - curving and somewhat round in shape rather than jagged; "low rounded hills"; "rounded shoulders"