palpate

1
[ pal-peyt ]
See synonyms for: palpatepalpation on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),pal·pat·ed, pal·pat·ing.
  1. to examine by touch, especially for the purpose of diagnosing disease or illness.

Origin of palpate

1
First recorded in 1840–50; from Latin palpātus, past participle of palpāre “to stroke, touch”; see palpus, -ate1

Other words from palpate

  • pal·pa·tion [pal-pey-shuhn] /ˌpælˈpeɪ ʃən/ noun
  • pal·pa·to·ry [pal-puh-tawr-ee], /ˈpæl pəˌtɔr i/, adjective

Words Nearby palpate

Other definitions for palpate (2 of 2)

palpate2
[ pal-peyt ]

adjectiveZoology.
  1. having a palpus or palpi.

Origin of palpate

2
First recorded in 1855–60; palp(us) + -ate1

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use palpate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for palpate (1 of 2)

palpate1

/ (ˈpælpeɪt) /


verb
  1. (tr) med to examine (an area of the body) by the sense of touch and pressure

Origin of palpate

1
C19: from Latin palpāre to stroke

Derived forms of palpate

  • palpation, noun

British Dictionary definitions for palpate (2 of 2)

palpate2

/ (ˈpælpeɪt) /


adjective
  1. zoology of, relating to, or possessing a palp or palps

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