palm

[ pahm ]

/ pɑm /

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See synonyms for: palm / palmed / palming / palms on Thesaurus.com

noun

the part of the inner surface of the hand that extends from the wrist to the bases of the fingers.

the corresponding part of the forefoot of an animal.

the part of a glove covering this part of the hand.

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.

a linear measure of from 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 centimeters), based on the breadth of the hand.

a linear measure of from 7 to 10 inches (17.5 to 25 centimeters), based on the length of the hand.

the flat, expanded part of the horn or antler of a deer.

a flat, widened part at the end of an armlike projection.

Nautical.

the blade of an oar.
the inner face of an anchor fluke.
(loosely) an anchor fluke.

a flat-topped bearing member at the head of a stanchion.

verb (used with object)

to conceal in the palm, as in cheating at cards or dice or in juggling.

to pick up stealthily.

to hold in the hand.

to impose (something) fraudulently (usually followed by on or upon): to palm stolen jewels on someone.

to touch or stroke with the palm or hand.

to shake hands with.

Basketball. to grip (the ball) momentarily with the hand in the act of dribbling.

Verb Phrases

palm off, to dispose of by deception, trickery, or fraud; substitute (something) with intent to deceive: Someone had palmed off a forgery on the museum officials.

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Idioms about palm

grease someone's palm, to bribe: Before any work could begin, it was necessary to grease the superintendent's palm.Also cross someone's palm .

Origin of palm

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

Words nearby palm

pallium, pall-mall, pallor, pally, pally up, palm, Palma, palmaceous, palmar, palmar arch, palmar digital artery

Other definitions for palm (2 of 2)

palm²

[ pahm ]

/ pɑm /

noun

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.

any of various other trees or shrubs that resemble this.

a leaf or branch of such a tree, especially as formerly borne to signify victory or as used on festive occasions.

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.

the reward of honor due to a victor: In oratory she yields the palm to no one.

victory; triumph; success: He carried off the palm by sheer perseverance.

Origin of palm

First recorded before 900; Middle English palm(e), paume, pame, Old English palm, palma, from Latin palma “palm tree,” special use of palma palm¹

OTHER WORDS FROM palm

palmlike, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use palm in a sentence

That’s why, when the practice ends, he marches from teammate to teammate, palm extended.
Kobe Bryant Punched A Teammate Over $100, And It Wasn’t Shaq|Jeff Pearlman|September 25, 2020|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.
What wildfires in Brazil, Siberia, and the US West have in common|Lili Pike|September 17, 2020|Vox
Almost half of oil palms in that country are grown by smallholders rather than large-scale agribusiness.
The Environmental Headache in Your Shampoo - Issue 90: Something Green|Anastasia Bendebury & Michael Shilo DeLay|September 16, 2020|Nautilus
The canopy began to recoil, its edges assaulted by the expansion of hydroelectric power, logging, and, most impactful of all, palm oil plantations.
The Environmental Headache in Your Shampoo - Issue 90: Something Green|Anastasia Bendebury & Michael Shilo DeLay|September 16, 2020|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.
Fitbit debuts new smartwatches that track how stressed the owners are|Aaron Pressman|August 25, 2020|Fortune
These villages used to harvest rubber, cacao, palm oil, and coffee beans.
The Congo's Forgotten Colonial Getaway|Nina Strochlic|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On the day of the AFI dinner, Hitchcock receives a wire from Frank Capra, who is in Palm Springs.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In our digital world, all the accumulated knowledge of human history is available in the palm of our hands.
The Facts About Ferguson Matter, Dammit|Doug McIntyre|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
About 9:30 p.m. on Palm Sunday in 1965, a tornado struck Toledo, Ohio.
Heed the Warnings: Why We’re on the Brink of Mass Extinction|Sean B. Carroll|November 30, 2014|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.
Whip It: Secrets of a Dominatrix|Justin Jones|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Tobacco at this period was also rolled up in the leaves of the Palm and smoked.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
His strong hands lay palm downwards on the arms of his chair, pressing them hard.
Bella Donna|Robert Hichens
In fact, on the palm a small drop of blood showed distinctly against the firm, pink flesh.
Uncanny Tales|Various
She had taken off her glove now, and her palm left on his a reminiscence of Peau d'Espagne.
Rosemary in Search of a Father|C. N. Williamson
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.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.

British Dictionary definitions for palm (1 of 2)

palm¹

/ (pɑːm) /

noun

the inner part of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingersRelated adjectives: thenar, volar

a corresponding part in animals, esp apes and monkeys

a linear measure based on the breadth or length of a hand, equal to three to four inches or seven to ten inches respectively

the part of a glove that covers the palm

a hard leather shield worn by sailmakers to protect the palm of the hand

the side of the blade of an oar that faces away from the direction of a boat's movement during a stroke
the face of the fluke of an anchor

a flattened or expanded part of the antlers of certain deer

in the palm of one's hand at one's mercy or command

verb (tr)

to conceal in or about the hand, as in sleight-of-hand tricks

to touch or soothe with the palm of the hand

Word Origin for palm

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

British Dictionary definitions for palm (2 of 2)

palm²

/ (pɑːm) /

noun

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

a leaf or branch of any of these trees, a symbol of victory, success, etc

merit or victory

an emblem or insignia representing a leaf or branch worn on certain military decorations

Word Origin for palm

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for palm

palm

[ päm ]

The inner surface of the hand that extends from the wrist to the base of the fingers.

Other Idioms and Phrases with palm

palm

In addition to the idiom beginning with palm

palm off

also see:

cross someone's palm
grease someone's palm
itchy palm

palm

Idioms about palm

Origin of palm

Words nearby palm

Other definitions for palm (2 of 2)

Origin of palm

OTHER WORDS FROM palm

Words related to palm

How to use palm in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for palm (1 of 2)

Word Origin for palm

British Dictionary definitions for palm (2 of 2)

Word Origin for palm

Medical definitions for palm

Other Idioms and Phrases with palm