I.a broad, flat dish or saucer, used esp. in offerings; a libationsaucer or bowl (cf.: “simpulum, simpuvium),” Varr. L. L. 5, § 122 Müll.; cf. Macr. S. 5, 21: “aurea,” Plaut. Am. 1, 1, 104; 2, 2, 128: “humani corporis sanguinem in pateris circumtulisse,” Sall. C. 22, 1: “Themistoclem aiunt, cum taurum immolavisset, excepisse sanguinem paterā, etc.,” Cic. Brut. 11, 43: “vinaque marmoreas paterā fundebat in aras,” Ov. M. 9, 160; Hor. S. 1, 6, 118: “pateris libare et auro,” golden cups, Verg. G. 2, 192: “pateram perplovere in sacris cum dicitur significat pertusam esse,” Fest. p. 250 Müll.
pătĕra , ae, f. pateo,