oblate

Etymology 1

From French oblat and its source, post-classical Latin oblātus (“person dedicated to religious life”), a nominal use of the past participle of offerō (“I offer”).

noun

1. (Roman Catholicism) A person dedicated to a life of religion or monasticism, especially a member of an order without religious vows or a lay member of a religious community.
2. A child given up by its parents into the keeping or dedication of a religious order or house.
   2007, The Venerable Bede started as an oblate at St Paul's, Jarrow, but by the time of his death in 735 was surely the most learned man in Europe. — Tom Shippey, ‘I Lerne Song’, London Review of Books 29:4, p. 19

Etymology 2

From Late Latin oblātus, from Latin ob (“in front of, before”) + lātus (“broad, wide”), (modeled after prōlātus (“extended, lengthened”)).

adj

1. Flattened or depressed at the poles.
   The Earth is an oblate spheroid.
   1997, ‘ ’Tis prolate, still,’ with a long dejected Geordie O. ‘Isn’t it…?’ ‘I’m an Astronomer,– trust me, ’tis gone well to oblate.’ — Thomas Pynchon, Mason & Dixon

Etymology 3

verb

1. To offer as either a gift or an oblation.