Etymology Map
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Palm

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the inner surface of the hand; a tropical tree

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

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

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.