Meaning & use
palpate
To examine part of the body by touching or pressing it, especially to check for abnormalities.
See it in a sentence
The doctor gently palpated the patient's abdomen to check for tenderness or swelling.
Nurses are trained to palpate a pulse at several points on the body.
A note on using this word
A clinical term almost always used in medical or veterinary contexts rather than everyday speech.
Words with a similar meaning
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