Definition of palm
1 : any of a family (Palmae synonym 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
From the M-W Editors
Illustration of palm
Origin and Etymology 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
palm
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 (such as a part of a glove) that covers the palm of the hand
5 : an act of palming (as of cards)
Origin and Etymology of palm
Middle English paume, palme, from Anglo-French, from Latin palma
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Anatomy Terms
palm
Definition of palm
transitive verb
1a : to conceal in or with the hand palm a cardb : to take or pick up stealthilyc : 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: such asa : to stroke with the palm or handb : to allow (a basketball) to come to rest momentarily in the hand while dribbling thus committing a violation
Examples of palm in a Sentence
The store's owner had seen one of the girls palm a lipstick before heading for the door.
To do the card trick, you have to learn to palm one of the cards.
He was called for palming the ball.
The kick was palmed away by the goalkeeper.
1671
First Known Use of palm
1671
PALM Defined for English Language Learners
palm
Definition of palm for English Language Learners
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: to hide (something) in the palm of your hand
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basketball : to hold (a basketball) in an illegal way for a moment while you are dribbling
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soccer : to knock (the ball) away from the goal with your hands
PALM Defined for Kids
Definition of palm for Students
: a tropical tree, shrub, or vine with a usually tall stem or trunk topped with large leaves that are shaped like feathers or fans
History for palm
The Latin word palma originally meant “front of the hand from the wrist to the fingertips.” Because the leaves of palm trees look a little like an outstretched hand, the Latin word also came to mean “palm tree.” English has borrowed the word with both meanings, but through different pathways. In the sense “palm tree,” Old English borrowed the word directly from Latin. In the sense “palm of the hand,” English borrowed the word from Old French palme, which Old French had taken from Latin palma.
Definition of palm for Students
1 : the under part of the hand between the fingers and the wrist
2 : a measure of length based on the width of a palm
Definition of palm for Students
palmed
;palming
: to hide in the hand She palmed the coin.
palm off
: to get rid of or pass on in a dishonest way They tried to palm off plastic as real leather.
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about palm
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See words that rhyme with palm Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for palm Spanish Central: Translation of palm Nglish: Translation of palm for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of palm for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about palm
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