palpable Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective capable of being perceived; especially capable of being handled or touched or felt
    tangible.
    • a barely palpable dust
    • felt sudden anger in a palpable wave
    • the air was warm and close--palpable as cotton
    • a palpable lie
  2. adjective satellite can be felt by palpation
    • a palpable tumor

WordNet

Pal"pa*ble adjective
Etymology
F. palpable, L. palpabilis, fr. palpare to feel, stroke; cf. palpus the soft palm of the hand.
Definitions
  1. Capable of being touched and felt; perceptible by the touch; as, a palpable form. Shak.
    Darkness must overshadow all his bounds, Palpable darkness. Milton.
  2. Easily perceptible; plain; distinct; obvious; readily perceived and detected; gross; as, palpable imposture; palpable absurdity; palpable errors. "Three persons palpable." P. Plowman.
    [Lies] gross as a mountain, open, palpable. Shak.
    -- Pal"pa*ble*ness, n. -- Pal"pa*bly, adv.

Webster 1913