palm Hear it!

palm¹ Definition

palm (päm)

noun

  1. any of an order (Arecales) of tropical or subtropical monocotyledonous trees and shrubs, having a woody, usually unbranched, trunk and large, evergreen, featherlike or fan-shaped leaves growing in a bunch at the top
  2. a leaf of such a tree carried or worn as a symbol of victory, triumph, joy, etc.
  3. victory; triumph
  4. a representation of a palm leaf or frond given in lieu of a second award of the same military decoration

Etymology: ME palme < OE palm < L palma: so named because its leaf somewhat resembles the palm of the hand

adjective

designating the only family (Arecaceae) of palms, including the coconut palm, betel palm, and date palm

palm¹ Related Forms
pal·ma′·ceous (pal mā′s̸həs, pä-) adjective
palm¹ Idioms

bear the palm

or carry off the palm

to be the winner; take the prize

yield the palm to

to acknowledge the superiority of; admit to defeat by

palm² Definition

palm (päm)

noun

  1. the inner part or surface of the hand between the fingers and wrist
  2. the part of a glove, mitten, etc. that covers the palm
  3. the broad, flat part of an antler, as of a moose
  4. a unit of linear measure based either on the width of the hand (3 to 4 inches) or on its length (7 to 9 inches)
  5. any broad, flat part at the end of an arm, handle, etc.,
  6. a piece of leather, often with a metal disc attached, that fits over the palm of the hand, worn for protection in sewing heavy canvas or leather

Etymology: altered (infl. by L) < ME paume < OFr < L palma, palm of the hand < IE base *pele-, broad, flat, spread out > floor, field

transitive verb

  1. to hide (something) in the palm or between the fingers, as in a sleight-of-hand trick
  2. ☆ to interrupt the dribbling of (a basketball) for an instant by grasping with the palm and fingers: such interrupting is illegal

palm² Idioms

have an itching palm

Informal to desire money greedily

palm off

Informal to pass off by trickery or deceit

palm Synonyms

palm

n.

Types of palm trees include: feather, fan, date, Washington, doom, wax, cabbage, curly, fern, coconut, sea-coconut, rattan, oil, para, walkstick, wine, betel, palmyra, Bourbon, raphia, royal, umbrella, palmetto, piasava, assai, West African, Brazilian;

palm Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • hand: Press each onion between the palms of hands to separate layers.

Converse of object

  • outstretch: The performer holds them on his outstretched palm and asks a spectator to cover them.
  • sway: Caressed by sea breezes, it offers post card views of sandy white beaches fringed with swaying palms.
  • grease: But then, his selection had more to do with his appreciation of greased palms than of greased locomotive axles.

Adjective modifier

  • coconut: I look out through the coconut palms, beyond the rocks to the horizon.
  • sweaty: The metallic handle of the door felt cold in my sweaty palm 's grasp.
  • potted: By the time of the above memories, the BH Concert Hall was the regular venue, suitably decorated with potted palms!
  • hardy: In reality there are no truly hardy palms, particularly when they are small.
  • shady: A swimming pool is situated in the lush garden filled with sweet-scented orange and lemon trees and shady palms.
  • tall: There's always an empty corner that can be softened by a tall palm or fig tree.

Modifies a noun

  • frond: We then had a look at a small group of False Vampire Bats asleep under a palm frond.
  • tree: I said I will climb up the palm tree, I will take hold of the branches thereof.
  • grove: Best room: Provided stairs don't bother you, perch in the rooftop Perla suite, overlooking the gardens and palm groves.
  • plantation: In an attempt to improve the local economy, many world development banks fund palm oil plantations.
  • civet: Possible wildlife sightings include sambar, porcupine, palm civet, small Indian civet and barking deer.
  • oil: All of the palm oil used in Green People products is from certified organic sources.

Noun used with modifier

  • sago: The people of Papua obtain their starch from the sago palm which gives and extremely generous yield for remarkably little effort.
  • dwarf: This bushy, dwarf fan palm makes a handsome and easy-to-grow plant.
  • coconut: Oddities include the cannonball tree, the sausage tree and the double coconut palm capable of producing a 50lb nut.
  • cabbage: To the south, Logan Botanic Garden is an important attraction, and features a collection of plants including cabbage palms and tree ferns.
palm Quotes

Yo soy un hombre sincero De donde crece la palma, Yantes de morirme quiero Echar mis versos del alma. I am a sincere man from where the palm tree grows; and before I die I want to loose my verses from my heart.

—Mart|¤  ,Jose¤

By the old Moulmein Pagoda, lookin'eastward to the sea, There's a Burma girl a-settin', and I know she thinks o' me; For thewind isinthepalmtrees, an'thetemplebellsthey say: 'Come you back, you British soldier'; come you back to Mandalay!'

—Kipling, (Joseph) Rudyard

How vainly men themselves amaze To win the palm, the oak, or bays; And their uncessant labours see Crown'd from some single herb or tree. Whose short and narrow verged shade Does prudently their toils upbraid; While all flow'rs and all trees do close To weave the garlands of repose.

—Marvell, Andrew

Browse dictionary entries near palm

  1. ‹ pally
  2. ‹ pallor
  3. ‹ pallium
  4. ‹ pallid
  5. ‹ palliative
  6. ‹ palliate
  7. ‹ palliasse
  8. ‹ pallette
  9. ‹ palletize
  10. ‹ pallet
  1. Palm Beach ›
  2. palm crab ›
  3. palm(ing) off ›
  4. palm leaf ›
  5. palm oil ›
  6. Palm Springs ›
  7. palm sugar ›
  8. Palm Sunday ›
  9. Palma ›
  10. palmar ›