Palp

Pronunciation

• IPA: /pælp/

Origin

For verb: From French palper, from Latin palpare, palpari ("to stroke, touch softly, feel").

For noun: From New Latin palpus ("a feeler"), from Latin palpare ("to stroke, touch softly, feel").

Full definition of palp

Noun

1. (zoology) An appendage found near the mouth in invertebrates; has a variety of functions but is often primarily used for predating.
2. (very rare, nonce, used only by James Joyce) A fleshy part of a fingertip or an act of touching.
• 1922, James Joyce, Ulysses:He folded his razor neatly and with stroking palps of fingers felt the smooth skin.

Synonyms

• (appendage) pedipalp

Verb

1. To feel, to explore by touch.
• 1982, Lawrence Durrell, Constance, Faber & Faber 2004 (Avignon Quintet), p. 729:It is not possible to examine a male patient without making him undress and actually palping him all over.

Related terms

• palpability
• palpable
• palpate
• palpation
• palpiform
• palpitate
• palpitation

Anagrams

• Lapp