palm

¹

[ pahm ]

noun

1. the part of the inner surface of the hand that extends from the wrist to the bases of the fingers.
2. the corresponding part of the forefoot of an animal.
3. the part of a glove covering this part of the hand.
4. Also called sailmaker's palm. a stiff rawhide or metal shield worn over this part of the hand by sailmakers to serve as a thimble.
5. a linear measure of from 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 centimeters), based on the breadth of the hand.
6. a linear measure of from 7 to 10 inches (17.5 to 25 centimeters), based on the length of the hand.
7. the flat, expanded part of the horn or antler of a deer.
8. a flat, widened part at the end of an armlike projection.
9. Nautical.
   1. the blade of an oar.
   2. the inner face of an anchor fluke.
   3. (loosely) an anchor fluke.
10. a flat-topped bearing member at the head of a stanchion.

verb (used with object)

1. to conceal in the palm, as in cheating at cards or dice or in juggling.
2. to pick up stealthily.
3. to hold in the hand.
4. to impose (something) fraudulently (usually followed by on or upon ):

   to palm stolen jewels on someone.

5. to touch or stroke with the palm or hand.
6. to shake hands with.
7. Basketball. to grip (the ball) momentarily with the hand in the act of dribbling.

verb phrase

1. to dispose of by deception, trickery, or fraud; substitute (something) with intent to deceive:

   Someone had palmed off a forgery on the museum officials.

palm

²

[ pahm ]

noun

1. any of numerous plants of the family Palmae, most species being tall, unbranched trees surmounted by a crown of large pinnate or palmately cleft leaves. Compare palm family.
2. any of various other trees or shrubs that resemble this.
3. a leaf or branch of such a tree, especially as formerly borne to signify victory or as used on festive occasions.
4. a representation of such a leaf or branch, as on a military or other decoration of honor, usually indicating a second award of the decoration.
5. the reward of honor due to a victor:

   In oratory she yields the palm to no one.

6. victory; triumph; success:

   He carried off the palm by sheer perseverance.

palm

¹

/ pɑːm /

noun

1. the inner part of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers thenarvolar
2. a corresponding part in animals, esp apes and monkeys
3. a linear measure based on the breadth or length of a hand, equal to three to four inches or seven to ten inches respectively
4. the part of a glove that covers the palm
5. a hard leather shield worn by sailmakers to protect the palm of the hand
6. 1. the side of the blade of an oar that faces away from the direction of a boat's movement during a stroke
   2. the face of the fluke of an anchor
7. a flattened or expanded part of the antlers of certain deer
8. in the palm of one's hand
   at one's mercy or command

verb

1. to conceal in or about the hand, as in sleight-of-hand tricks
2. to touch or soothe with the palm of the hand

palm

²

/ pɑːm /

noun

1. any treelike plant of the tropical and subtropical monocotyledonous family Arecaceae (formerly Palmae or Palmaceae ), usually having a straight unbranched trunk crowned with large pinnate or palmate leaves
2. a leaf or branch of any of these trees, a symbol of victory, success, etc
3. merit or victory
4. an emblem or insignia representing a leaf or branch worn on certain military decorations

Other Words From

• palmlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of palm¹

First recorded in 1300–50; from Latin palma (cognate with Old English folm “hand”); replacing Middle English paume, from Middle French, from Latin palma

Origin of palm²

First recorded before 900; Middle English palm(e), paume, pame, Old English palm, palma, from Latin palma “palm tree,” special use of palma palm ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of palm¹

C14 paume, via Old French from Latin palma; compare Old English folm palm of the hand, Greek palamē

Origin of palm²

Old English, from Latin palma, from the likeness of its spreading fronds to a hand; see palm ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. grease someone's palm, to bribe: Also cross someone's palm.

   Before any work could begin, it was necessary to grease the superintendent's palm.

More idioms and phrases containing palm

In addition to the idiom beginning with palm , also see cross someone's palm ; grease someone's palm ; itchy palm .

Example Sentences

That’s why, when the practice ends, he marches from teammate to teammate, palm extended.

From FiveThirtyEight

Like in Brazil, slashing and burning is an easy way for farmers to clear land, in this case for the palm oil and paper industries.

From Vox

Almost half of oil palms in that country are grown by smallholders rather than large-scale agribusiness.

From Nautilus

The canopy began to recoil, its edges assaulted by the expansion of hydroelectric power, logging, and, most impactful of all, palm oil plantations.

From Nautilus

The electrodermal sensor, which requires the user to place their palm on the watchface for a reading, likewise can be tracked over time to measure stress levels.

From Fortune

These villages used to harvest rubber, cacao, palm oil, and coffee beans.

From The Daily Beast

On the day of the AFI dinner, Hitchcock receives a wire from Frank Capra, who is in Palm Springs.

From The Daily Beast

In our digital world, all the accumulated knowledge of human history is available in the palm of our hands.

From The Daily Beast

About 9:30 p.m. on Palm Sunday in 1965, a tornado struck Toledo, Ohio.

From The Daily Beast

“Now get on your knees and crawl,” he demanded with the slap of a leather horse crop against the palm of his hand.

From The Daily Beast

Tobacco at this period was also rolled up in the leaves of the Palm and smoked.

From Project Gutenberg

His strong hands lay palm downwards on the arms of his chair, pressing them hard.

From Project Gutenberg

In fact, on the palm a small drop of blood showed distinctly against the firm, pink flesh.

From Project Gutenberg

She had taken off her glove now, and her palm left on his a reminiscence of Peau d'Espagne.

From Project Gutenberg

The natives of Guiana use a tube or pipe not unlike a cheroot, made from the rind of the fruit of a species of palm.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• citation
• crown
• cup
• decoration
• gold
• keepsake
• medal
• memento
• prize
• souvenir