Word of the Day for Tuesday October 11, 2005 palpable \PAL-puh-buhl\, adjective: 1. Capable of being touched and felt; perceptible by the touch; as, "a palpable form." 2. Easily perceptible; plain; distinct; obvious; readily detected; as, "palpable imposture; palpable absurdity; palpable errors." A sense of devastation from the attacks remains palpable, but so too is a sense of rejuvenation. --"Onwards and upwards," [1]The Economist, May 23, 2002 Crowds at Kennedy-related sites around Washington were no larger than usual yesterday, but the emotion was palpable. --"Grieving Public Seeks Ways to Say Goodbye to the JFK They Knew," [2]Washington Post, July 22, 1999 The loss of potential donors because of tattoos has been palpable if not drastic, blood-center officials said. --"Tattoo surprise: Many find body art bars them as blood donors," [3]San Francisco Chronicle, July 19, 1999 The movie's emotional potential, lying in wait for two hours, will sneak up on viewers, hitting them with a palpable thud. --"Crime tale told with restraint," [4]Dallas Morning News, May 10, 1999 Andre Garner and Dan Sklar... have clarion voices and the kind of palpable emotional heat and fiery commitment that can transform a song into a full-fledged little drama. --Review of "Songs for a New World," [5]Chicago Sun-Times, December 8, 1998 _________________________________________________________ Palpable derives ultimately from Latin palpabilis, from palpare, "to touch gently." References 1. http://www.economist.com/ 2. http://www.washingtonpost.com/ 3. http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/ 4. http://www.dallasnews.com/ 5. http://www.suntimes.com/index/ Dictionary.com Entry and Pronunciation http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=9&q=palpable