palm
/pɑ:m/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A type of tree: A tropical or subtropical tree belonging to the family Arecaceae (formerly Palmae), typically having an unbranched trunk and a crown of large, often fan-shaped (palmate) or feather-shaped (pinnate) leaves.
- The inner surface of the hand: The flat, central part of the human hand, between the wrist and the base of the fingers.
- A unit of measurement: A linear unit of measurement, historically based on the width or length of the human hand.
- A symbol of victory: A palm leaf or branch, especially from a date palm, traditionally used as a symbol of triumph, victory, or peace.
Verb:
- To conceal in the hand: To hide something, such as a small object or a playing card, in the palm of one's hand, often deceptively.
- To touch with the palm: To touch, stroke, or hold something with the palm of the hand.
Examples of Usage
Noun:
- The island was lined with tall coconut palms.
- He held the coin tightly in his sweaty palm.
- In ancient times, a palm was a common unit for measuring small lengths.
- The champion was awarded a palm frond.
Verb:
- The magician palmed the coin before making it disappear.
- She gently palmed the kitten's head.
Advanced Usage
- "to bear/carry off the palm": To be the victor; to win.
- After a fierce debate, their team bore the palm.
- "to have someone in the palm of one's hand": To have complete control or influence over someone.
- The charismatic leader had the entire crowd in the palm of his hand.
- "to grease/oil/cross someone's palm": To bribe someone.
- He had to grease the official's palm to get the permit.
Variants and Related Words
- Palmate (adj): Shaped like a hand with fingers spread; used to describe leaves (e.g., a maple leaf) or antlers.
- Palmary (adj): Deserving the palm; preeminent; outstanding.
- Palmetto (n): A small palm tree or a shrub of the palm family.
- Palmistry (n): The practice of interpreting lines on the palm to tell a person's future.
Synonyms
- Noun (tree): Palm tree.
- Noun (hand part): Thenar (medical term for the palm's fleshy part).
- Verb (conceal): Conceal, hide.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Palm off (on/upon someone): To deceive someone into accepting something that is worthless or unwanted.
- He tried to palm off the fake watch on an unsuspecting tourist.
Related Idioms
- "It's in the palm of your hand": Something is easily within your reach or control.
- With this new evidence, winning the case is in the palm of your hand.
- "Read someone's palm": To practice palmistry on someone.
- At the fair, a woman offered to read my palm.
Noun
- an award for winning a championship or commemorating some other event
- any plant of the family Palmae having an unbranched trunk crowned by large pinnate or palmate leaves
- a linear unit based on the length or width of the human hand
- the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
Verb
- touch, lift, or hold with the hands
- Don't handle the merchandise