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.
A croupier's tool for turning up cards in a casino.
The croupier delicately faced her other two cards with the tip of his spatula. A four! She had lost!1963, Ian Fleming, On Her Majesty's Secret Service:
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Biology, Entomology, Natural sciences A sclerotized, T-shaped plate in the prothorax of larvae of flies belonging to family Cecidomyiidae, the gall midges.
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.2015 November 2, Donald B. Thomas, John A. Goolsby, “Morphology of the Preimaginal Stages of Lasioptera donacis Coutin (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a Candidate Biocontrol Agent for Giant Arundo Cane”, in Psyche, →DOI:
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.
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To lift with or as if with a spatula.
A book on Pastels referes [sic] to a rough Modeling paste to be spatulaed over cotton duck.1996 September 3, Macy Garcia, “What is the difference between Gesso, Modeling Paste & Texture Gel?”, in rec.arts.fine (Usenet):
So if you get road-pizzaed, should you have to pay in order to get yourself spatulaed off of the street?1997 May 15, Toby, “Any same-sex marriage opposition?”, in alt.atheism (Usenet):
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Eddie spatulaed the patty onto a bun and extracted tomatoes, lettuce, and sliced pickles from a Tupperware.2018 March 13, Bruce Holbert, Whiskey: A Novel, MCD, →ISBN, page 4:
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To strike with a spatula.
Or if you're a Ranma Character. I mean, they've been kicked/punched/thrown/hammered/spatulaed into the stratosphere enough times, you gotta figure they've developed a prretty high threshold of pain/injury.1997 March 14, arnoldkim, “Best way to get yourself killed in anime”, in rec.arts.anime.misc (Usenet):
i.....am............dying.....................i'vebeen..............spatula'd........................to.........death...2000 February 15, erik, “*”, in alt.bored (Usenet):
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I haven't spatulaed anyone in ages...2000 March 7, Justa Hillbilly, “Does this place get WILD???”, in alt.bored (Usenet):