palm

Where does the word "palm" come from? It comes from Latin palma, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Palm’s story begins in Latin: palma meant “palm of the hand.” The palm tree was named for its hand-like leaves. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as palme. Palm branches were carried on Palm Sunday. It reached English by 1200s as palm. 'palm off' dates from the 1600s. Today, palm means the inner surface of the hand; a tropical tree.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient palma "palm of the hand", the palm tree was named for its hand-like leaves.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval palme "palm tree; hand", palm branches were carried on Palm Sunday.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s palm "palm tree; hand", 'palm off' dates from the 1600s.