1300-1400Late Latinpalpabilis, from Latinpalpare ‘to touch gently’
Examples
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
His frustration was palpable.
Tension in the city was as palpable as the dust in the air
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
Alan Keyes, an opponent of abortion, shows more palpable signs of support in Iowa than in New Hampshire.
Decades later, its winning vocal harmonies and spirited musical style still has a palpable impact.
For outsiders the cultural energy of the city is palpable.
He achieved it, and the relief was palpable.
Such palpable absurdities have continued for some 20 years, despite the partial and cautious liberalisation of the past three or four.
To talk of dawn raids in the circumstances is palpable nonsense.
Collocations
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB►almost
· The disgruntlement among its two million members is almost palpable.· Mones's gloom was almost palpable.· The solitude and the almost palpable darkness combined to create the feeling that they'd been draped in a blanket.· Doyle's excitement was almost palpable.· The relief among the crowd was almost palpable.· Their love was almost palpable in the small room, warm as the fire, strong and soothing as sweet tea.· Several excellent compositions by Mendoza plus brilliance spark Abercrombie and the creative excitement is almost palpable.
1a feeling that is palpable is so strong that other people notice it and can feel it around themOPP impalpable: There was a palpable sense of relief among the crowd.2[only before noun] complete: What he said is palpable nonsense.—palpably adverb: This was palpably untrue.