Pronunciation: [pˈatəɹə] (IPA) 
The word "Patera" is spelled as pəˈtɛrə, with the stress on the second syllable. In phonetic transcription, the first syllable "pa" is pronounced as "pə", the "t" is pronounced as "t", and the vowel "e" is pronounced as "ɛ". The second syllable "ter" is pronounced as "tər" and the final syllable "a" is pronounced as "ə". "Patera" is a Latin word that means a shallow dish or a flat bowl, often used for ritual purposes.
Patera is a term with multiple and diverse definitions across various disciplines. In the context of ancient Roman culture and architecture, a patera refers to a shallow, often circular dish or bowl with a flat bottom and a raised rim. It was commonly crafted from various materials such as clay, metal, or glass and was used for purposes like cooking, serving, or for ritualistic ceremonies. These vessels were often intricately adorned with ornamental patterns or figures and were regarded as important artifacts in Roman households.
Patera also finds a place in ornithology, where it signifies a specialized featherless patch on the undersides of certain bird species. The bare, fleshy patera provides an attachment point for the bird's primary flight feathers, and its coloration can sometimes be distinctive, aiding in species identification.
In the realm of planetary science, patera has yet another connotation. It refers to large, irregular volcanic craters found primarily on the surface of the planet Mars. These volcanic features typically have a scalloped or scalene shape, often resembling frying pans or ancient Roman dishes, which is how they acquired the name patera.
Overall, patera encompasses an array of meanings depending on the field of study, ranging from a dish or bowl in Roman culture to a specialized patch on bird anatomy, or even irregular volcanic craters on Mars.
The word "Patera" has its origins in Latin. It is derived from the Latin noun "pat(e)ra" which means "a shallow dish, saucer, or bowl". The word itself can be traced back even further to the Ancient Greek noun "patḗra" which has a similar meaning - "a shallow bowl or saucer used for libations or offerings". So, "Patera" in English is essentially a transliteration of the Latin word.
