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.
Derivatives:
prolately adv.
Etymology: L prolatus past part. of proferre prolong (as PRO-(1), ferre carry)
Useful english dictionary. 2012.