palpable

Discussion in 'Linguistics' started by mathman, Dec 23, 2016.

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  1. mathman Valued Senior Member

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    In recent years "palpable" is much used by columnists as an approximate synonym for "clear". How did the use of "palpable" become so widespread? What is the difference in meaning between the two words?
     
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  3. Fraggle Rocker Staff Member

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    The original meaning of "palpable" was "capable of being touched," from the Latin verb palpare, "to touch." But over the years its meaning has been expanded to include virtually any way of sensing something, even an abstraction like an idea or a premonition.
     
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  5. DaveC426913 Valued Senior Member

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    Can you give an example? You don't have to quote something, just a paraphrase, for context.

    Here I would suggest that the word is being used as its original meaning, just metaphorically. Or virtually.

    The idea was so clear, it was virtually palpable.
     
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  7. Sarkus Hippomonstrosesquippedalo phobe Valued Senior Member

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    Aye, "the tension was palpable" and so forth. The tension was so thick that you could almost touch it.
    It means more than simply being clear, and other than a possible increase in usage, I'm not sure its being used incorrectly. Although its possibly a cliched expression now.
     
  8. Michael 345 New year. PRESENT is 72 years oldl Valued Senior Member

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    pal·pate
    \ˈpal-ˌpāt\
    • medical : to examine (part of the body) by touching it
    Full Definition

    • transitive verb
    • : to examine by touch especiallymedically
    Other forms: pal·pat·ed; pal·pat·ing
    • pal·pa·tion \pal-ˈpā-shən\noun
    Origin: probably back-formation frompalpation, from Latin palpation-, palpatio, from palpare.
    First use: circa 1852

    Mirriam-Webster

    Palpations of the heart

    Normally you are not aware of your heart beat

    However if it begins to beat with a irregular rhythm you feel

    Palpations

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  9. Baldeee Valued Senior Member

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    You are confusing palpate with palpitate.

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    When you become aware of your heart beat it is usually due to palpitations, the word stemming from the Latin "palpitare" meaning "to throb" or to "flutter".

    This is different to palpate meaning "to examine through touch".

    However the two words are linked, in that palpitare is the frequentative of palpare.
    Much like chatter is the frequentative of chat - i.e. expressing frequent repetition.
     
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  10. Michael 345 New year. PRESENT is 72 years oldl Valued Senior Member

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    palpate

    [pal-peyt]

    verb (used with object), pal·pat·ed,pal·pat·ing.

    to examine by touch, especially for the purpose of diagnosing disease or illness.

    Origin of palpate

    1840–50; < Latin palpātus, past participle of palpāre to stroke, touch; see palpus, -ate1

    palpitation

    Origin

    late Middle English: from Latin palpitatio(n- ), from the verb palpitare (see ).

    palpitate

    Origin

    early 17th century: from Latin palpitat- ‘patted’, from the verb palpitare, frequentative of palpare ‘touch gently’

    Google

    I will concede I miss spelt

    PALPITATION

    as

    PALPATIONS

    I blame a life long dyslexia

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  11. Beaconator Valued Senior Member

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    Hyperbole surrounding " palpable" is not palpable. Lol
     
  12. Michael 345 New year. PRESENT is 72 years oldl Valued Senior Member

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    Not palatable either

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  13. Baldeee Valued Senior Member

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    But is it something that Palpatine would have said?

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