palpable
UK: ˈpælpəbl | US: ˈpælpəbl
adj. able to be touched or felt physically
adj. (of a feeling or atmosphere) so intense as to seem almost tangible
palpable = palp<touch> + able<capable of>
- palp<touch>: From Latin palpare ("to stroke, touch softly"), reflecting sensory perception.
- able<capable of>: A suffix of Latin origin (-abilis) indicating capacity or susceptibility.
Etymology Origin:
"Palpable" originates from Late Latin palpabilis, derived from palpare ("to touch"). The word evolved through Old French (palpable) into English, retaining its core idea of tactile or perceptible quality. The metaphorical extension to emotions/intensity ("almost tangible") emerged in the 16th century, leveraging the physicality of "touch" to describe abstract vividness.
The tension in the room was palpable after the argument.
A palpable lump prompted her to visit the doctor.
His relief was palpable when he heard the good news.
The fog was so thick it felt almost palpable.
There’s a palpable difference in texture between silk and cotton.