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prolate

Stretched out; extended; especially, elongated in the direction of a line joining the poles; as, a prolate spheroid; opposed to oblate. Prolate cycloid. See the note under Cycloid.

(Science: geometry) Prolate ellipsoid or spheroid, a figure generated by the revolution of an ellipse about its major axis. See Ellipsoid of revolution, under Ellipsoid.

Origin: L. Prolatus, used as p. P. Of proferre to bring forth, to extend; pro _ latus, p. P. See Pro-, and Tolerate.