An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
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A measure of the extent to which mass has been shifted from the polar regions of a (spinning) body toward its equator (Ellis et al., 2007, Planetary Ring Systems, Springer).

→ dynamic; → oblateness.

Adjective meaning flattened, as → oblate spheroid. Opposed to → prolate.

From L. ob- "toward" + latus, abstracted from its opposite, prolatus "lengthened."

Pax "oblate," of unknown etymology.

An ellipsoid produced by rotating an ellipse through 360° about its minor axis. Compare with → prolate spheroid.

→ oblate; → spheroid.

The property possessed by a round body that is flattened at the poles.

Noun from → oblate.

(polar flattening) The ratio of the difference between equatorial and polar diameters to the equatorial diameter. A sphere has an oblateness of 0; an infinitely thin disk has an oblateness of 1 (Ellis et al., 2007, Planetary Ring Systems, Springer).

→ optical; → oblateness.