| 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. <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. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
|---|