Main Entry: ¹palm

Pronunciation: \ˈpäm, ˈpälm, ˈpȯm, ˈpȯlm\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English, from Latin palma palm of the hand, palm tree; from the resemblance of the tree's leaves to the outstretched hand; akin to Greek palamē palm of the hand, Old English folm, Old Irish lám hand

Date: before 12th century

1 : any of a family (Palmae syn. Arecaceae) of mostly tropical or subtropical monocotyledonous trees, shrubs, or vines with usually a simple stem and a terminal crown of large pinnate or fan-shaped leaves
2 : a leaf of the palm as a symbol of victory or rejoicing; also : a branch (as of laurel) similarly used
3 : a symbol of triumph or superiority; also : victory, triumph
4 : an addition to a military decoration in the form of a palm frond especially to indicate a second award of the basic decoration

— palm·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

[palm illustration]