Definition of "palm" []

• The inner surface of the hand that extends from the wrist to the base of the fingers. (noun)
• The similar part of the forefoot of a quadruped. (noun)
• A unit of length equal to either the width or the length of the hand. (noun)
• The part of a glove or mitten that covers the palm of the hand. (noun)
• Nautical A metal shield worn by sailmakers over the palm of the hand and used to force a needle through heavy canvas. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The American palm is more resistant to certain plagues and diseases of the region than the “African palm”, but it has the disadvantage that it produces very little oil (2 to 8 per cent) because of the paucity of its mesocarp."
• "CONFUCIUS [_standing formally at the end of the table with his hands palm to palm_] I make a mental note that you do not wish the Americans to be described as barbarians."
• "The date palm is used in making shelter, baskets, mats, rope and an Arab proverb is there are as many uses for the date palm as days in the calendar."