palmate

adjective

pal·​mate ˈpal-ˌmāt How to pronounce palmate (audio)
ˈpä-,
ˈpäl-,
ˈpȯ-,
ˈpȯl- How to pronounce palmate (audio)
variants or less commonly palmated
ˈpal-ˌmā-təd How to pronounce palmate (audio)
ˈpä-,
ˈpäl-,
ˈpȯ-,
ˈpȯl-
: resembling a hand with the fingers spread: such as
a
: having lobes radiating from a common point
a palmate leaf
see leaf illustration
b
: having the distal portion broad, flat, and lobed
a palmate antler
palmately adverb
palmation
pal-ˈmā-shən How to pronounce palmate (audio)
pä-
ˈpäl-
ˈpȯ-
ˈpȯl-
noun

Examples of palmate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Variegated: ‘Butterfly’ offers cream and green palmate leaves and stays a modest size (6 to 10 feet). Earl Nickel, SFChronicle.com, 5 June 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'palmate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of palmate was in 1661

Dictionary Entries Near palmate

Cite this Entry

“Palmate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/palmate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

palmate

adjective
pal·​mate ˈpal-ˌmāt How to pronounce palmate (audio) ˈpälm-ˌāt How to pronounce palmate (audio)
ˈpäm-
: resembling a hand with the fingers spread
palmate leaves
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!