Word of the Day: Palpable

palpable

pal-pa-ble / păl-pə-bəl

adjective

1. tangible; capable of being touched or felt

The world, this palpable world, which we were wont to treat with the boredom and disrespect with which we habitually regard places with no sacred association for us, is in truth a holy place, and we did not know it.

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, 1881 – 1955

2. in medicine, able to be felt by touching

It’s not at all good when your cancer is ‘palpable‘ from the outside.

From “Mortality” by Christopher Hitchens, 1949 – 2011

3. obvious; easily observed

People who cannot recognize a palpable absurdity are very much in the way of civilization.

Agnes Repplier, 1855 – 1950