palpable

pal·pa·ble

adj \ˈpal-pə-bəl\

Definition of PALPABLE

1

: capable of being touched or felt : tangible

2

: easily perceptible : noticeable <a palpable difference>

3

: easily perceptible by the mind : manifest

— pal·pa·bil·i·ty \ˌpal-pə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— pal·pa·bly \ˈpal-pə-blē\ adverb

Examples of PALPABLE

1. I felt a palpable sense of relief.
2. The attraction between them was palpable.
3. There was a palpable excitement in the air as the town prepared for the festival.
4. A positive patch-test result, measured by a visible and palpable localized response, denotes a delayed hypersensitivity response … —Simon Kallal et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 7 Feb. 2008
5. When I'm back in nature after months of walking around on concrete and living in boxes, I feel a palpable internal shift. —Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth, 2006
6. As pushcart vendors manned the stadium concourses, ringing bicycle bells and selling E-lados ice cream in paper cups, and concessionaires poured shots of Cutty Sark and blended piña coladas, there was a palpable sense of spirit. —Daniel G. Habib, Sports Illustrated, 21 Apr. 2003

Origin of PALPABLE

Middle English, from Late Latin palpabilis, from Latin palpare to stroke, caress — more at feel

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PALPABLE

Synonyms: appreciable, apprehensible, detectable, discernible (also discernable), distinguishable, perceptible, sensible

Antonyms: impalpable, imperceptible, inappreciable, indistinguishable, insensible, undetectable

Related Words: audible, observable, tangible, visible; clear, conspicuous, evident, eye-catching, manifest, noticeable, obvious, plain, ponderable, prominent, striking; apparent, distinct, identifiable, significant, straightforward

Near Antonyms: inaudible, intangible, invisible; inconspicuous, indistinct, unnoticeable, unobtrusive; faint, insignificant, slight, trivial; buried, concealed, covert, disguised, hidden, obscure, shrouded, vague

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at perceptible