spatula

Definition

A kitchen utensil consisting of a flat surface attached to a long handle, used for turning, lifting, or stirring food.

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin spatula (“a flat piece”), the diminutive form of spatha (“broad or flat tool”), from Ancient Greek σπάθη (spáthē, “a broad wood or metal blade”). Doublet of spauld; compare spatha and spathe.

Example Sentences

• "The croupier delicately faced her other two cards with the tip of his spatula. A four! She had lost!"
• "The third instars are similar to other members of the genus except for a three-pronged spatula (typically two-pronged) and five lateral papillae (typically four) and with a nonbristled first instar."