palp

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a paired sensory or feeding appendage near the mouth of an arthropod or another invertebrate

   The crab used each palp to examine food before bringing it to its mouth.

2. 2
   verb

   rare or technical: to examine something by touching or feeling it

   The clinician gently palped the area around the swollen joint.

The noun comes from New Latin palpus ("feeler"); the verb was reinforced by French palper ("to feel"). Both ultimately trace to Latin palpare ("to stroke, touch softly, or feel").

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