adj. 1. a. Capable of being handled, touched, or felt; tangible: "Anger rushed out in a palpable wave through his arms and legs" (Herman Wouk). b. Medicine Capable of being felt by palpating: a palpable tumor. 2. Easily perceived; obvious: "There was a palpable sense of expectation in the court" (Nelson DeMille). See Synonyms at perceptible. [Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin palpābilis, from Latin palpāre, to touch gently; see pāl- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] pal′pa·bili·ty n. palpa·bly adv. |
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