a. [ad. mod.L. spalulat-us, f. spatula SPATULA. Cf. SPATHULATE a.] Having a broadened and rounded end like that of a common form of spatula: a. Bot. Of leaves, etc.

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1760.  J. Lee, Introd. Bot., III. v. (1765), 176. Spatulate, resembling a Spatula; when the Figure is roundish, but lengthened out by the Addition of a linear Base that is narrower.

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1785.  Martyn, Lett. Bot., xxv. (1794), 354. The leaves have … hairy, spatulate leaflets.

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1806.  J. Galpine, Brit. Bot., § 382. L[eaves] several, spatulate, rough at the apex.

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1828.  Sir J. E. Smith, Eng. Flora, II. 94. Leaves linear-lanceolate;… lowermost stalked, somewhat spatulate.

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1850.  Tyas, Favourite Field Fl., Ser. II. 74. The leaves … immediately from the root, ovate or spatulate.

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  b.  Zool. Of organs or parts.

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1826.  Kirby & Sp., Entomol., IV. xlvi. 271.

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1838.  Penny Cycl., XI. 232/2. Lower incisor teeth [of giraffe] … spatulate.

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1851.  S. P. Woodward, Mollusca, I. 69. Pen like loligo, but dilated and spatulate behind.

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1877.  Huxley, Anat. Inv. Anim., vi. 262. The large basal joint … bears a curved, spatulate process.

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  c.  In general use.

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1883.  Frith & Allen, Chiromancy, 70. A woman with rather spatulate fingers and a small thumb.

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1892.  Pall Mall Gaz., 30 June, 6. With the long, spatulate little finger the management of business will result.

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1897.  W. Gowland, in Archaeol., V. 480. Rods of gilt copper expanded at one end into flat spatulate heads.

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  Comb.  1885.  J. Thomson, Through Masai Land, ii. 88. Their weapons are a knife, a long, spatulate-shaped sword, and the bow and arrow.

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