palp
1
9.9
- noun
- /pælp/
- Specialized
:
palpo
- After an exploratory poke or two with their legs and special feelers called palps, the wolf spiders had nothing further to do with the moths.
- long palps
- open palps
Examples
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Two quivering palps flank dart-sized fangs.
Fiction book (2002) -
Stiffen your upper palps, gentlebeings; there is worse to come.
Fiction book (1999) -
Having two palps at the front of its head, the White-Tailed Spider uses them for grooming itself.
Blog text (16) -
I am sure, Hank, those are the peda palps are really neat because they are kind of like, I guess you would say they're hands.
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The insect used its palp to explore the surface of a leaf, sensing its texture.
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During the mating ritual, the male spider’s palps played a crucial role in transferring sperm to the female.
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As the bright flower swayed, the butterfly’s palps gently brushed against its petals to taste the nectar.
Synonyms
3
5.3
A long thin part of an animal used to touch and sense things
1
9.9
A small leg-like part near the mouth of spiders and scorpions used to feel, hold, or help in mating
A small feeler near the mouth that insects and similar animals use to taste or touch
A small feeler made of parts on the outer side of an insect's mouth that senses smells
A small jointed part at the front of an insect's mouth that helps taste and handle food
Surface Forms
Etymology
Palp comes from the Latin palpare, which means 'to touch' or 'to stroke' and is the same root in palpable and palpate. So a palp is a small, sensitive feeler near the mouth of insects that they use to touch, feel, or taste things.