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[pahm] /pɑm/

noun
1.
any of numerous plants of the family Palmae, most species being tall, unbranched trees surmounted by a crown of large pinnate or palmately cleft leaves.
Compare .
2.
any of various other trees or shrubs that resemble this.
3.
a leaf or branch of such a tree, especially as formerly borne to signify victory or as used on festive occasions.
4.
a representation of such a leaf or branch, as on a military or other decoration of honor, usually indicating a second award of the decoration.
5.
the reward of honor due to a victor:
In oratory she yields the palm to no one.
6.
victory; triumph; success:
He carried off the palm by sheer perseverance.
/pɑːm/
noun
1.
the inner part of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers related adjectives thenar volar
2.
a corresponding part in animals, esp apes and monkeys
3.
a linear measure based on the breadth or length of a hand, equal to three to four inches or seven to ten inches respectively
4.
the part of a glove that covers the palm
5.
a hard leather shield worn by sailmakers to protect the palm of the hand
6.

7.
a flattened or expanded part of the antlers of certain deer
8.
in the palm of one’s hand, at one’s mercy or command
verb (transitive)
9.
to conceal in or about the hand, as in sleight-of-hand tricks
10.
to touch or soothe with the palm of the hand
/pɑːm/
noun
1.
any treelike plant of the tropical and subtropical monocotyledonous family Arecaceae (formerly Palmae or Palmaceae), usually having a straight unbranched trunk crowned with large pinnate or palmate leaves
2.
a leaf or branch of any of these trees, a symbol of victory, success, etc
3.
merit or victory
4.
an emblem or insignia representing a leaf or branch worn on certain military decorations
n.

“flat of the hand,” c.1300, from Old French palme (Modern French paume), from Latin palma “palm of the hand,” also “flat end of an oar; palm tree,” from PIE *pel- “to spread out; flat” (cf. Greek palame “open hand,” Old Irish lam, Welsh llaw, Old English folm, Old High German folma “hand,” Sanskrit panih “hand, hoof”). Palm oil is earlier in the punning sense of “bribe” (1620s) than in the literal sense of “oil from the fruit of the West African palm” (1705, from palm (n.2)).

tropical tree, Old English palma, Old French palme, both from Latin palma “palm tree,” originally “palm of the hand;” the tree so called from the shape of its leaves, like fingers of a hand (see palm (n.1)).

The word traveled early to northern Europe, where the tree does not grow, via Christianity, and took root in the local languages (e.g. Old Saxon palma, Old High German palma, Old Norse palmr). Palm Sunday is Old English palm-sunnandæg.

In ancient times, a leaf or frond was carried or worn as a symbol of victory or triumph, or on feast days; hence figurative use of palm for “victory, triumph” (late 14c.). Palm court “large room in a hotel, etc., usually decorated with potted palms” first recorded 1908.
v.

“impose (something) on (someone),” 1670s, from palm (n.1). Extended form palm off is from 1822.

palm (päm)
n.
The inner surface of the hand that extends from the wrist to the base of the fingers.

verb

To conceal a playing card against the palm in order to use it in a gambling hand: It was five cards that he palmed, three aces and a pair of queens (1673+)

Related Terms

grease someone’s palm
In addition to the idiom beginning with
palm