Palp
/pælp/noun
A small sensory appendage near the mouth of an arthropod, especially an insect, spider, or crustacean.
Did you know?In spiders, the male pedipalps are specialized for transferring sperm, making these seemingly tiny sensory appendages central to reproduction.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
palpare
“To touch or stroke gently; to feel by touch.”
Late Latin
Latin
palpus
“A feeler or tactile organ.”
17th Century
New Latin
palpus
“A zoological palp or sensory appendage.”
18th Century
English
palp
“A shortened zoological form referring to an arthropod’s tactile appendage.”
Modern English
English
palp
“A sensory appendage near the mouth of an arthropod.”
Explore more surprising origins