pătŭlus, a, um, adj. [pateo], standing open, open (syn. patens).
I Lit.: locus patulus, Varr. L. L. 5, § 161 Müll.: pina duabus grandibus patula conchis, etc., Cic. N. D. 2, 48, 123; id. Fin. 3, 19, 63: patulae aures, Hor. Ep. 1, 18, 70: nares, Verg. G. 1, 376: cavo aut patulo maxime ore, Quint. 9, 4, 33: fenestrae, Ov. M. 14, 752: latitudo, Tac. A. 15, 40.—
B Transf., spread out , spreading , extended , broad , wide : mundus, Lucr. 6, 108: rami, Cic. de Or. 1, 7, 28: quadra, Verg. A. 7, 115: fagus, id. E. 1, 1: patulis captavit naribus auras, id. G. 1, 376: pectines, Hor. S. 2, 4, 34: lacus, Ov. M. 2, 379: plaustra, Verg. G. 3, 362: canistra, Ov. M. 8, 676: patulae in latitudinem naves, Plin. 36, 9, 14, § 68: loca urbis, Tac. A. 15, 40: aves alis patulae, Gell. 6, 6, 12: arca, Juv. 14, 74: patulos boves, broadhorned , Fest. p. 221 Müll.—*
II Trop., open to all , i. e. common : patulus orbis, the beaten round , Hor. A. P. 132.