the part of the inner surface of the hand that extends from the wrist to the bases of the fingers.
the corresponding part of the forefoot of an animal.
the part of a glove covering this part of the hand.
Also called sailmaker's palm.a stiff rawhide or metal shield worn over this part of the hand by sailmakers to serve as a thimble.
a linear measure of from 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 centimeters), based on the breadth of the hand.
a linear measure of from 7 to 10 inches (17.5 to 25 centimeters), based on the length of the hand.
the flat, expanded part of the horn or antler of a deer.
a flat, widened part at the end of an armlike projection.
Nautical.
the blade of an oar.
the inner face of an anchor fluke.
(loosely) an anchor fluke.
a flat-topped bearing member at the head of a stanchion.
verb (used with object)
to conceal in the palm, as in cheating at cards or dice or in juggling.
to pick up stealthily.
to hold in the hand.
to impose (something) fraudulently (usually followed by on or upon): to palm stolen jewels on someone.
to touch or stroke with the palm or hand.
to shake hands with.
Basketball. to grip (the ball) momentarily with the hand in the act of dribbling.
Verb Phrases
palm off,to dispose of by deception, trickery, or fraud; substitute (something) with intent to deceive: Someone had palmed off a forgery on the museum officials.
Idioms for palm
grease someone's palm, to bribe: Before any work could begin, it was necessary to grease the superintendent's palm.Also cross someone's palm .
Origin of palm
1
First recorded in 1300–50; from Latin palma (cognate with Old English folm “hand”); replacing Middle English paume, from Middle French, from Latin palma
any of numerous plants of the family Palmae, most species being tall, unbranched trees surmounted by a crown of large pinnate or palmately cleft leaves.Compare palm family.
any of various other trees or shrubs that resemble this.
a leaf or branch of such a tree, especially as formerly borne to signify victory or as used on festive occasions.
a representation of such a leaf or branch, as on a military or other decoration of honor, usually indicating a second award of the decoration.
the reward of honor due to a victor: In oratory she yields the palm to no one.
victory; triumph; success: He carried off the palm by sheer perseverance.
Origin of palm
2
before 900; Middle English, Old English <Latin palma palm tree, special use of palmapalm1
That’s why, when the practice ends, he marches from teammate to teammate, palm extended.
Kobe Bryant Punched A Teammate Over $100, And It Wasn’t Shaq|Jeff Pearlman|September 25, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Like in Brazil, slashing and burning is an easy way for farmers to clear land, in this case for the palm oil and paper industries.
What wildfires in Brazil, Siberia, and the US West have in common|Lili Pike|September 17, 2020|Vox
The canopy began to recoil, its edges assaulted by the expansion of hydroelectric power, logging, and, most impactful of all, palm oil plantations.
The Environmental Headache in Your Shampoo - Issue 90: Something Green|Anastasia Bendebury & Michael Shilo DeLay|September 16, 2020|Nautilus
Almost half of oil palms in that country are grown by smallholders rather than large-scale agribusiness.
The Environmental Headache in Your Shampoo - Issue 90: Something Green|Anastasia Bendebury & Michael Shilo DeLay|September 16, 2020|Nautilus
The electrodermal sensor, which requires the user to place their palm on the watchface for a reading, likewise can be tracked over time to measure stress levels.
Fitbit debuts new smartwatches that track how stressed the owners are|Aaron Pressman|August 25, 2020|Fortune
After tightening her collar, Stella assumed slave posture: on her knees, legs slightly spread, palm resting face-up on her thighs.
Dungeons and Genital Clamps: Inside a Legendary BDSM Chateau|Ian Frisch|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These villages used to harvest rubber, cacao, palm oil, and coffee beans.
The Congo's Forgotten Colonial Getaway|Nina Strochlic|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On the day of the AFI dinner, Hitchcock receives a wire from Frank Capra, who is in Palm Springs.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In our digital world, all the accumulated knowledge of human history is available in the palm of our hands.
The Facts About Ferguson Matter, Dammit|Doug McIntyre|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
About 9:30 p.m. on Palm Sunday in 1965, a tornado struck Toledo, Ohio.
Heed the Warnings: Why We’re on the Brink of Mass Extinction|Sean B. Carroll|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was quite a large town, the houses being built substantially of timber, thatched with palm leaves.
Ferdinand De Soto, The Discoverer of the Mississippi|John S. C. Abbott
There was nothing left but the cabarets, and the Gardens, the Palm Rooms, and the ukuleles of to-day.
Frenzied Fiction|Stephen Leacock
The small planter does the curing upon mats of sticks, boards, palm or banana leaves raised somewhat above the ground.
Birds and all Nature, Vol. V, No. 2, February 1899|Various
A frown began to gather on the vintner's brow and a sweat in his palm.
The Goose Girl|Harold MacGrath
The full length of the handle should always be used, the end of the handle resting against the fleshy part of the palm.
The Meadow-Brook Girls on the Tennis Courts|Janet Aldridge
British Dictionary definitions for palm (1 of 2)
palm1
/ (pɑːm) /
noun
the inner part of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingersRelated adjectives: thenar, volar
a corresponding part in animals, esp apes and monkeys
a linear measure based on the breadth or length of a hand, equal to three to four inches or seven to ten inches respectively
the part of a glove that covers the palm
a hard leather shield worn by sailmakers to protect the palm of the hand
the side of the blade of an oar that faces away from the direction of a boat's movement during a stroke
the face of the fluke of an anchor
a flattened or expanded part of the antlers of certain deer
in the palm of one's handat one's mercy or command
verb(tr)
to conceal in or about the hand, as in sleight-of-hand tricks
to touch or soothe with the palm of the hand
See also palm off
Word Origin for palm
C14 paume, via Old French from Latin palma; compare Old English folm palm of the hand, Greek palamē
British Dictionary definitions for palm (2 of 2)
palm2
/ (pɑːm) /
noun
any treelike plant of the tropical and subtropical monocotyledonous family Arecaceae (formerly Palmae or Palmaceae), usually having a straight unbranched trunk crowned with large pinnate or palmate leaves
a leaf or branch of any of these trees, a symbol of victory, success, etc
merit or victory
an emblem or insignia representing a leaf or branch worn on certain military decorations
Word Origin for palm
Old English, from Latin palma, from the likeness of its spreading fronds to a hand; see palm1