(päm) noun
1. The hollow inner surface of the hand between the wrist and the base of the fingers. ♦ Collateral adjective: thenar.
2. The breadth (3 or 4 inches) or the length (about 8 1/2 inches) of the hand used as a linear measure.
3. That which covers the palm, as part of a glove or mitten.
4. The flattened, palmate portion of an antler, as of a moose.
5. The flat expanding end of any armlike projection; specifically, the blade of an oar.
6. A shield attached to the palm of the hand, used by sailmakers in pushing a needle through heavy canvas.
—to grease the palm To give a bribe.
—v.t.
1. To hide (cards, dice, etc.) in or about the hand, as in sleight of hand.
2. To handle or touch with the palm.
—to palm off To pass off or impose fraudulently. [<F paume <OF paulme <L palma a hand; refashioned after L]

(päm) noun
1. Any of a large and varied family (Palmaceae) of tropical trees or shrubs usually having an unbranched columnar trunk topped by a crown of large palmate or pinnate leaves.
2. A leaf or branch of the palm, used as a symbol of victory or joy.
3. Hence, supremacy; triumph; the reward or symbol of victory or preeminence. [OE palm <L palma a palm tree, orig., a hand; so called because its leaves are hand–shaped]
—pal·ma·ceous (pal·mā′shəs) adjective