spatuˈlation
I. [f. spatulate a.]
1. The fact or condition of being spatulate; a spatulate formation. rare.
| 1881 Newton in Encycl. Brit. XII. 359/1 The lateral feathers [of humming birds] may..suddenly enlarge into a terminal spatulation as in the..‘Racquet-tails’. 1895 Ibis July 399 That in some motmots the spatulation of the tail⁓feathers may be effected by the bird itself. |
II. [f. spatulate v.]
2. Chiefly Dentistry. The process of stirring or mixing with a spatula.
| 1939 J. Osborne Dental Mechanics i. 5 (heading) Spatulation time. 1940 E. Covington Efficient Dental Assistant iii. 71 Rapid and longer spatulation accelerate [sic] setting time with most plasters. 1957 V. J. Kehoe Technique Film & Television Make-Up xii. 147 Mix by spatulation until a smooth cream is obtained. 1977 Jrnl. Biomed. Materials Res. XI. 863 The spatulation was conducted at approximately 150 rpm, but that rate was difficult to maintain throughout the mixing interval. 1981 Scand. Jrnl. Dental Res. LXXXIX. 97/2 Twelve fillings with diameters of 6 mm were made.., varying the spatulation time from 5 to 60 s at 5 s intervals. |
3. Surg. The procedure of spatulating a tubular vessel; also, the spatulated portion.
| 1977 Urologia Internat. XXXII. 372 We advocate spatulation of the terminal end of the ureter. 1979 Brit. Jrnl. Urol. LI. 105/2 The stitch is continued around the upper ends of the spatulations. |