Word of the Day Archive
Tuesday October 11, 2005
palpable \PAL-puh-buhl\ , adjective:
1. Capable of being touched and felt; perceptible by the touch; as, a palpable form.
2. Easily perceptible; plain; distinct; obvious; readily perceived and detected; gross; as, palpable imposture; palpable absurdity; palpable errors.
A sense of devastation from the attacks remains palpable, but so too is a sense of rejuvenation.
-- "Onwards and upwards", The Economist, May 23, 2002
Crowds at Kennedy-related sites around Washington were no larger than usual yesterday, but the emotion was palpable.
-- "Grieving Public Seeks Ways to Say Goodbye to the JFK They Knew", Washington Post, July 22, 1999
The loss of potential donors because of tattoos has been palpable if not drastic, blood-center officials said.
-- "Tattoo surprise: Many find body art bars them as blood donors", San Francisco Chronicle, July 19, 1999
The movie's emotional potential, lying in wait for two hours, will sneak up on viewers, hitting them with a palpable thud.
-- "Crime tale told with restraint", Dallas Morning News, May 10, 1999
Andre Garner and Dan Sklar . . . have clarion voices and the kind of palpable emotional heat and fiery commitment that can transform a song into a full-fledged little drama.
-- review of Songs for a New World, Chicago Sun-Times, December 8, 1998
Palpable derives ultimately from Latin palpabilis, from palpare, "to touch gently."
Dictionary.com Entry and Pronunciation for palpable
