Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Oblate \Ob*late"\, a. [L. oblatus, used as p. p. of offerre to
   bring forward, offer, dedicate; ob (see {Ob-}) + latus borne,
   for tlatus. See {Tolerate}.]
   1. (Geom.) Flattened or depressed at the poles; as, the earth
      is an oblate spheroid.

   2. Offered up; devoted; consecrated; dedicated; -- used
      chiefly or only in the titles of Roman Catholic orders.
      See {Oblate}, n.

   {Oblate ellipsoid} or {spheroid} (Geom.), a solid generated
      by the revolution of an ellipse about its minor axis; an
      oblatum. See {Ellipsoid of revolution}, under {Ellipsoid}.

Oblate \Ob*late"\, n. [From {Oblate}, a.] (R.C.Ch.)
      (a) One of an association of priests or religious women
          who have offered themselves to the service of the
          church. There are three such associations of priests,
          and one of women, called oblates.
      (b) One of the Oblati.

Source : WordNet®

oblate
     adj : having the equatorial diameter greater than the polar
           diameter; being flattened at the poles [syn: {pumpkin-shaped}]
           [ant: {prolate}]
     n : a lay person dedicated to religious work or the religious
         life