palpate

/pælˈpeɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /pælˈpeɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈpal-ˌpāt/ (ame, mw)

palpate — verb

  • palpatepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • palpateshe / she / it
  • palpatedpast simple
  • palpating-ing form

1. to check an area of the body with the hands, pressing lightly to find pain, swel

1.動詞及物C2
釋義

to check an area of the body with the hands, pressing lightly to find pain, swelling, or a lump

例句

The doctor palpated Nora's swollen ankle before ordering an X-ray.

palpate + body part during a medical exam

During the exam, Ryan's neck was palpated for enlarged glands.

passive: [body part] was palpated for + sign

同義詞
  • feel

    more general and less technical; it does not specifically suggest a medical check

  • examine

    broader and can include looking, listening, or using equipment

  • probe

    often suggests using a tool rather than the bare hands

  • press

    describes the physical action but not the medical purpose of checking for signs

文法句型

palpate + body part

palpate + object + for + sign

用法筆記

Usually used in medical settings. The object is normally a body part or lump, and the verb often appears with 'for' when naming what the examiner is trying to detect.

常見錯誤

❌The doctor palpated on my neck.
✅The doctor palpated my neck.
💡'Palpate' normally takes a direct object without 'on'.
❌The nurse palpated my chest with a stethoscope.
✅The nurse listened to my chest with a stethoscope.
💡'Palpate' means checking with the hands, not by listening through a tool.