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The doctor palpated his ribs to see if there was any tenderness.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'palpate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Palpate has been part of the English language since at least the mid-19th century. It was probably coined from the preexisting noun form palpation, which itself traces back to the Latin verb palpare, meaning "to stroke or caress." Other descendants of palpare in English include palpable, palpitate, and the verb palp. Even feel itself is a distant cousin of palpitate, as both words can be linked to the same ancient root word that gave Latin palpare.
medical : to examine (part of the body) by touching it
See words that rhyme with palpate Britannica English: Translation of palpate for Arabic speakers
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