prolate(a = adj.all) watermelon-shaped - having the polar diameter greater than the equatorial diameter; "a prolate spheroid is generated by revolving an ellipse about its major axis"
Prolate, a. [L. prolatus, used as p. p. of proferre to bring forth, to extend; pro + latus, p. p. See Pro-, and Tolerate. ].
Stretched out; extended; especially, elongated in the direction of a line joining the poles; as, a prolate spheroid; -- opposed to oblate. [1913 Webster]
Prolate cycloid. See the Note under Cycloid. --
Prolate ellipsoidor
Prolate spheroid(Geom.), a figure generated by the revolution of an ellipse about its major axis. Contrasted with oblate spheroid. See Ellipsoid of revolution, under Ellipsoid.
Prolate, adj.
1 Geom. (of a spheroid) lengthened in the direction of a polar diameter (cf. OBLATE(2)).
2 growing or extending in width.
3 widely spread.
4 Gram. = PROLATIVE.
Derivative
prolately adv.
Etymology
L prolatus past part. of proferre prolong (as PRO-(1), ferre carry)