palm

¹palm

noun \ˈpäm, ˈpälm, ˈpȯm, ˈpȯlm\

Definition of PALM

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

Illustration of PALM

Origin of PALM

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Seed Plant Terms

aubergine, box, bramble, briar, composite, perpetual, pulse, trefoil

Rhymes with PALM

bomb, bombe, calm, gaum, Guam, glom, mom, Pom, pram, prom, psalm, ROM, tom

²palm

noun

Definition of PALM

1

: the somewhat concave part of the human hand between the bases of the fingers and the wrist or the corresponding part of the forefoot of a lower mammal

2

: a flat expanded part especially at the end of a base or stalk (as of an anchor)

3

[Latin palmus, from palma] : a unit of length based on the breadth or length of the hand

4

: something (as a part of a glove) that covers the palm of the hand

5

: an act of palming (as of cards)

Origin of PALM

Middle English paume, palme, from Anglo-French, from Latin palma

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

³palm

transitive verb

Definition of PALM

1

a : to conceal in or with the hand <palm a card>

b : to take or pick up stealthily

c : to hand stealthily <palmed him a dollar bill>

2

: to impose by fraud <a second imposter to be palmed upon you — Sir Walter Scott>

3

: to touch with the palm: as

a : to stroke with the palm or hand

b : to allow (a basketball) to come to rest momentarily in the hand while dribbling thus committing a violation

Examples of PALM

1. The store's owner had seen one of the girls palm a lipstick before heading for the door.
2. To do the card trick, you have to learn to palm one of the cards.
3. He was called for palming the ball.
4. The kick was palmed away by the goalkeeper.

First Known Use of PALM

1673

Related to PALM

Synonyms

fob off, foist, palm off, pass off, wish

Related Words

entail, force, impose, inflict; counterfeit, fake, forge; distort, falsify, misrepresent

palm

noun \ˈpä(l)m\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of PALM

: the somewhat concave part of the human hand between the bases of the fingers and the wrist or the corresponding part of the forefoot of a lower mammal

palm

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Royal palm (Roystonea regia).—E.R. Degginger/EB Inc.

Any of about 2,800 species of flowering, subtropical trees, shrubs, and vines that make up the family Arecaceae (or Palmae). Many are economically important. Palms furnish food, shelter, clothing, timber, fuel, building materials, fibres, starch, oils, waxes, and wines for local populations in the tropics. Many species have very limited ranges; some grow only on single islands. The fast growth and many by-products of palms make exploitation of the rainforest appealing to agribusiness. The usually tall, unbranched, columnar trunk is crowned by a tuft of large, pleated, fan- or feather-shaped leaves, with often prickly petioles (leafstalks), the bases of which remain after leaves drop, often covering the trunk. Trunk height and diameter, leaf length, and seed size vary greatly. Small flowers are produced in large clusters. Among the most important palms are the sugar palm (Arenga pinnata, or A. saccharifera), coconut palm, date palm, and cabbage palmetto.