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Spatula: meaning, definitions and examples

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spatula

 

[ ˈspætʃələ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

kitchen utensil

A spatula is a flat, flexible utensil used for flipping and lifting food such as pancakes, burgers, or cookies. It is typically made of metal or silicone and has a long handle for easy maneuvering.

Synonyms

flipper, slice, turner

Examples of usage

  • A spatula is essential for flipping eggs in a frying pan.
  • She used a spatula to carefully remove the cookies from the baking sheet.
  • The chef used a spatula to lift the fish fillet off the grill.
Context #2 | Noun

medical instrument

In medicine, a spatula refers to a small, flat instrument used for scraping cells or tissues for examination under a microscope. It is commonly used in gynecology for Pap smears.

Synonyms

collector, scraper

Examples of usage

  • The doctor used a spatula to collect a sample for the biopsy.
  • The nurse gently scraped the cells with a spatula for analysis.

Translations

Translations of the word "spatula" in other languages:

🇵🇹 espátula

🇮🇳 स्पैचुला

🇩🇪 Spatel

🇮🇩 spatula

🇺🇦 лопатка

🇵🇱 szpatułka

🇯🇵 ヘラ

🇫🇷 spatule

🇪🇸 espátula

🇹🇷 spatula

🇰🇷 주걱

🇸🇦 ملعقة صغيرة

🇨🇿 špachtle

🇸🇰 špachtľa

🇨🇳 刮刀

🇸🇮 lopatica

🇮🇸 spaða

🇰🇿 шпатель

🇬🇪 სპატული

🇦🇿 spatula

🇲🇽 espátula

Etymology

The word 'spatula' originated from the Latin word 'spathula', which means 'small flat piece of wood'. It has been used in English since the 1520s to refer to a tool with a broad, flat blade. Over time, the spatula has evolved into a versatile kitchen utensil used for various cooking tasks.

See also: spatter.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,488, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.