noun

palp

Palp (noun) means a small, jointed, sensory appendage near the mouth of an insect, arachnid, or similar creature. Example: “The spider used its palps to sense vibrations in the web.”

noun

A small, jointed, sensory appendage near the mouth of an insect, arachnid, or similar creature.

"The spider used its palps to sense vibrations in the web."

"Under the microscope, the insect's palps were clearly visible near its mandibles."

verb

To examine by feeling with the hands or fingers.

"The doctor gently palped the patient's abdomen to check for tenderness."

How to use palp

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA specialised term: either a tiny feeler organ on an insect or spider, or the medical act of examining by touch.

When to use it

Mostly used in zoology and medicine; not everyday vocabulary.

Word forms

palped past tense, palps plural, palpi plural, palps singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The spider used its _____ to sense vibrations in the web.

Etymology

From Latin palpare, "to touch softly, feel" — the same root that gives us "palpable" and "palpitate."

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for palp

scalp

See all rhymes for palp →

Frequently asked questions

What does “palp” mean?

The word “palp” means a small, jointed, sensory appendage near the mouth of an insect, arachnid, or similar creature. In plain terms, a specialised term: either a tiny feeler organ on an insect or spider, or the medical act of examining by touch.

How do you pronounce “palp”?

“Palp” is pronounced palp (/pælp/ in IPA).

How do you use “palp” in a sentence?

Here is “palp” used in a sentence: “The spider used its palps to sense vibrations in the web.”

What part of speech is “palp”?

Depending on how it is used, “palp” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “palp” come from?

The word “palp” comes from Latin. From Latin palpare, "to touch softly, feel" — the same root that gives us "palpable" and "palpitate.".

How many meanings does “palp” have?

“Palp” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, jointed, sensory appendage near the mouth of an insect, arachnid, or similar creature.