Palpation
/pælˈpeɪʃən/noun
The act of examining the body by pressing or feeling it with the hands.
Did you know?Latin palpare could mean both “to touch gently” and “to flatter,” linking physical stroking with the metaphorical idea of soothing someone through praise.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
palpāre
“To touch, stroke, feel, or caress gently; figuratively, to flatter.”
Classical Latin
Latin
palpātiō
“A touching, stroking, or feeling with the hands.”
Late Latin
Latin
palpātiō
“Manual examination by touch.”
Middle French
Old French
palpation
“Examination or sensation produced by touching.”
17th Century
English
palpation
“Medical examination by feeling with the fingers.”
Modern English
English
palpation
“Systematic examination of the body through touch, especially in medicine.”