spatula English · revision 1485

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1525}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈspætjʊlə/, /ˈspæt͡ʃʊlə/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|spatula|t=broad piece, spatula]], [[m|la|spathula]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) a diminutive of [[m|la|spatha|t=broad flat tool or weapon]] (see [[spathe]]),^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966) from [[grc|σπάθη|tr=spáthē|t=broad flat blade]] (see [[spade]]).^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(Skeat 1911) The Latin word was borrowed earlier as [[enm|spatule]], a medical instrument (about 1425).^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ An implement for stirring mixtures, especially medicines, and for spreading ointments and plasters (1525 in the OED, Barnhart and Merriam-Webster).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The Greek word was used of a weaver's tool and also of the blade of a sword or oar.^(Etymonline) English also tried the Anglicized forms ''spatule'', ''spattle'' and ''spature''.^(Etymonline) From 1684 the spatula was used in surgery and in examining the throat, as a [[tongue depressor]],^(OED 1989)^(AHD) and since 1842 in various technical operations.^(OED 1989) In cooking it is a utensil for spreading, lifting or turning food.^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023) In Late Latin the word also meant the shoulder blade, the source of [[epaulet]].^(Weekley 1921)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1425 – ''spatule'', a medical instrument.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1525 – ''spatula''.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1684 – a surgical or examining instrument.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1842 – for technical operations.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A small implement with a broad, flat, flexible blade, used to mix, spread or lift material such as food, paint or plaster.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A small flat blade used to press down the tongue during an examination of the mouth or throat; a [[tongue depressor]].^(AHD)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[spatulate]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[spade]]

+ * [[spathe]]

+ * [[epaulet]]

+ * [[palette knife]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}