Skip to the word

Added 8 October 2026

palpate

/ˈpælpeɪt/ verb

Latin root: palpātus Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about palpate at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To examine or otherwise explore through touch, particularly in reference to an area or organ of the human body.
I palpated his expired heart.

adjective

Of palp, or having palp.

Origin

Borrowed from Latin palpātus, perfect passive participle of palpō (“touch softly”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word