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palpable

[ pal-puh-buhl ]
/ ˈpæl pə bəl /
||
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adjective

readily or plainly seen, heard, perceived, etc.; obvious; evident: a palpable lie; palpable absurdity.
capable of being touched or felt; tangible.
Medicine/Medical. perceptible by palpation.

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RELATED WORDS

credible, discernible, evident, noticeable, distinct, certain, perceptible, apparent, unmistakable, visible, detectable, remarkable, conspicuous, substantial, tactile, tangible, appreciable, believable, blatant, manifest

Nearby words

  1. palos hills,
  2. palos verdes estates,
  3. palouse,
  4. paloverde,
  5. palp,
  6. palpal,
  7. palpate,
  8. palpation,
  9. palpatory,
  10. palpatory percussion

Origin of palpable

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin palpābilis that can be touched, equivalent to palpā(re) to stroke, touch, palpate1 + -bilis -ble
ANTONYMS FOR palpable
1. obscure.
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Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for palpable

British Dictionary definitions for palpable

palpable

/ (ˈpælpəbəl) /

adjective

(usually prenominal) easily perceived by the senses or the mind; obviousthe excuse was a palpable lie
capable of being touched; tangible
med capable of being discerned by the sense of toucha palpable tumour
Derived Formspalpability or palpableness, nounpalpably, adverb

Word Origin for palpable

C14: from Late Latin palpābilis that may be touched, from Latin palpāre to stroke, touch
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 palpable

palpable

adj.

late 14c., "that can be touched," from Late Latin palpabilis "that may be touched or felt," from Latin palpare "touch gently, stroke" (see feel (v.)). Figurative sense of "easily perceived, evident" also is from late 14c. Related: Palpably.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for palpable

palpable

[ păl′pə-bəl ]

n.

Perceptible to touch; capable of being palpated.
Evident; obvious.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.