palm

[ pahm ]

/ pɑm /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR palm 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 cm), based on the breadth of the hand.

a linear measure of from 7 to 10 inches (17.5 to 25 cm), 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.

Nearby words

pallidum, pallium, pallor, pally, pally up, palm, palm bay, palm beach, palm beach gardens, palm berry, palm cabbage

Idioms

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

1300–50; < Latin palma (cognate with Old English folm hand); replacing Middle English paume < Middle French < Latin palma

Definition for palm (2 of 2)

palm

[ 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

before 900; Middle English, Old English < Latin palma palm tree, special use of palma palm¹

Related formspalm·like, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for palm

After tightening her collar, Stella assumed slave posture: on her knees, legs slightly spread, palm resting face-up on her thighs.
Dungeons and Genital Clamps: Inside a Legendary BDSM Chateau|Ian Frisch|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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
It was quite a large town, the houses being built substantially of timber, thatched with palm leaves.
Ferdinand De Soto, The Discoverer of the Mississippi|John S. C. Abbott
There was nothing left but the cabarets, and the Gardens, the Palm Rooms, and the ukuleles of to-day.
Frenzied Fiction|Stephen Leacock
A frown began to gather on the vintner's brow and a sweat in his palm.
The Goose Girl|Harold MacGrath
The small planter does the curing upon mats of sticks, boards, palm or banana leaves raised somewhat above the ground.
Birds and all Nature, Vol. V, No. 2, February 1899|Various
The full length of the handle should always be used, the end of the handle resting against the fleshy part of the palm.
The Meadow-Brook Girls on the Tennis Courts|Janet Aldridge

British Dictionary definitions for palm (1 of 2)

palm

/ (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)

palm

/ (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

Word Origin and History for palm (1 of 3)

palm

n.1

"flat of the hand," c.1300, from Old French palme (Modern French paume), from Latin palma "palm of the hand," also "flat end of an oar; palm tree," from PIE *pel- "to spread out; flat" (cf. Greek palame "open hand," Old Irish lam, Welsh llaw, Old English folm, Old High German folma "hand," Sanskrit panih "hand, hoof"). Palm oil is earlier in the punning sense of "bribe" (1620s) than in the literal sense of "oil from the fruit of the West African palm" (1705, from palm (n.2)).

Word Origin and History for palm (1 of 3)

palm

n.2

tropical tree, Old English palma, Old French palme, both from Latin palma "palm tree," originally "palm of the hand;" the tree so called from the shape of its leaves, like fingers of a hand (see palm (n.1)).

The word traveled early to northern Europe, where the tree does not grow, via Christianity, and took root in the local languages (e.g. Old Saxon palma, Old High German palma, Old Norse palmr). Palm Sunday is Old English palm-sunnandæg.

In ancient times, a leaf or frond was carried or worn as a symbol of victory or triumph, or on feast days; hence figurative use of palm for "victory, triumph" (late 14c.). Palm court "large room in a hotel, etc., usually decorated with potted palms" first recorded 1908.

Word Origin and History for palm (2 of 3)

palm

"impose (something) on (someone)," 1670s, from palm (n.1). Extended form palm off is from 1822.

Medicine definitions for palm

palm

[ päm ]

n.

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

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

noun

verb (used with object)

Verb Phrases

RELATED CONTENT

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Nearby words

Idioms

Origin of palm

Definition for palm (2 of 2)

palm

noun

Origin of palm

Examples from the Web for palm

British Dictionary definitions for palm (1 of 2)

palm

noun

verb (tr)

Word Origin for palm

British Dictionary definitions for palm (2 of 2)

palm

noun

Word Origin for palm

Word Origin and History for palm (1 of 3)

palm

Word Origin and History for palm (1 of 3)

palm

Word Origin and History for palm (2 of 3)

palm

Medicine definitions for palm

palm

n.

Idioms and Phrases with palm

palm