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palpus

 - 3 dictionary results

pal⋅pus

[pal-puhs]
–noun, plural -pi [-pahy] .
an appendage attached to an oral part and serving as an organ of sense in insects, crustaceans, etc.


Origin:
1805–15; < NL, special use of L palpus a stroking, caress, palm of the hand; akin to feel
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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palp   (pālp)   
n.  An elongated, often segmented appendage usually found near the mouth in invertebrate organisms such as mollusks, crustaceans, and insects, the functions of which include sensation, locomotion, and feeding. Also called palpus.

[French palpe, from New Latin palpus, from Latin, a touching; see pāl- in Indo-European roots.]
pal·pus   (pāl'pəs)   
n.   pl. pal·pi (-pī)
See palp.

[Latin, a toweling, the soft palm of the hand; see palp.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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