Palpate
/ˈpæl.peɪt/noun
To examine by touch, especially as part of a medical examination.
Did you know?Palpate ultimately comes from Latin *palpare*, meaning “to stroke or caress,” the same ancient touch-root that also lives in words like “palpable” and “palpitation.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pal-
“To touch, strike lightly, or stroke”
Latin
Latin
palpare
“To stroke, caress, or soothe by touch”
Late Latin
Latin
palpatus
“Touched or handled”
16th Century
English
palpate
“To feel or examine by touch”
Modern English
English
palpate
“To examine by touch, especially in medicine”