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palpate1

[pal-peyt]
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verb (used with object), pal·pat·ed, pal·pat·ing.
  1. to examine by touch, especially for the purpose of diagnosing disease or illness.
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Origin of palpate1

1840–50; < Latin palpātus, past participle of palpāre to stroke, touch; see palpus, -ate1
Related formspal·pa·tion, nounpal·pa·to·ry [pal-puh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /ˈpæl pəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjective

palpate2

[pal-peyt]
adjective Zoology.
  1. having a palpus or palpi.
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Origin of palpate2

First recorded in 1855–60; palp(us) + -ate1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

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British Dictionary definitions for palpate

palpate1

verb
  1. (tr) med to examine (an area of the body) by the sense of touch and pressure
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Derived Formspalpation, noun

Word Origin

C19: from Latin palpāre to stroke

palpate2

adjective
  1. zoology of, relating to, or possessing a palp or palps
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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 palpate

v.

"examine by touch," c.1850, a back-formation from palpation, or else from Latin palpatus, past participle of palpare "to touch" (see feel (v.)). Related: Palpated; palpating.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
palpate in Medicine

palpate

(păl′pāt′)
v.
  1. To examine by feeling and pressing with the palms of the hands and the fingers.
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Related formspal•pa′tion n.pal′pa•tor′y (-pə-tôr′ē) adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.