The American Heritage ® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
The flattened part of the antlers of certain animals, such as the moose.
Basketball
To commit a violation by letting (the ball) rest momentarily in the palm of the hand while dribbling.
An itchy palm
A strong desire for money, especially bribes.
from The Century Dictionary.
The hand is a part of the body that extends from the wrist to the bases of the thumb and fingers on the side opposite the knuckles. It can also be referred to as the palm, which is the flat surface of the hand. The length of a hand or hand's breadth is measured in inches, while a lineal measure is equal to either the breadth of the hand or its length from the wrist to the tips of the fingers. In some instances, it is equal to 3 or 4 inches among Romans.
A sailmaker or seaman's tool used for sewing canvas instead of a thimble is known as a palmer. This instrument consists of a piece of leather that goes round the hand with a piece of iron sewn on it so as to rest in the palm. The palmer is more specifically known as a sailmaker's glove and is used in sailing and other water-related activities.
The broad (usually triangular) part of an anchor at the end of the arms.
noun
(Anat.)
The flat or palmate part of a deer's horns when full-grown.
noun
(Zoology)
An old game, a kind of hand-tennis, more fully called palm-play .
noun
A ball.
noun
A flat end formed on a tie-rod or strut, through which the rivets or bolts are passed to secure the piece to the rest of the structure.
noun
A tree or shrub of the order Palmæ .
noun
A branch, properly a leaf, of the palm-tree, anciently borne or worn as a symbol of victory or triumph; hence, superiority; victory; triumph; honor; prize.
noun
One of several other plants, popularly so called as resembling in some way the palm, or, especially, as substituted for it in church usage.
noun
See Macrozamia .
lineal measure equal either to the breadth of the hand or to its length from the wrist to the ends of the fingers; a hand; -- used in measuring a horse's height.
noun
(Sailmaking)
A metallic disk, attached to a strap, and worn on the palm of the hand, used to push the needle through the canvas, in sewing sails, etc.
noun
(Zoöl.)
The broad flattened part of an antler, as of a full-grown fallow deer; so called because it resembles the palm of the hand with its protruding fingers.
noun
(Naut.)
The flat inner face of an anchor fluke.
noun
[Slang]
To bribe or tip.
transitive verb
obsolete
To handle.
transitive verb
To manipulate with, or conceal in, the palm of the hand; to juggle.
transitive verb
To take (something small) stealthily, especially by concealing it in the palm of the hand.
transitive verb
To impose by fraud, as by sleight of hand; to put by unfair means; -- usually with on or upon. See also palm off.
. A tree of the order Palmæ or Palmaceæ， characterized by having a single stem or trunk with no branches. Examples include the coconut palm and the baobab.
2. A type of symbol used to signify victory or triumph in ancient times, often borne or worn as a badge of honor. Examples include the palm branch carried by ancient Greek soldiers during battles and the palm leaf placed on the head of a person celebrating religious festivals like Easter.
3. In modern usage, it can also refer to any token or emblem that represents superiority, success, or triumph. Examples include the American flag (with the eagle perched on top) and the Olympic flag (with five interlocking rings representing peace, friendship, and unity).
4. Another use of palm refers to the seed of the cabbage palm, which is a staple food in many countries. The seed is boiled, mashed, and eaten as a dish called palm sugar.
