palmo (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

"Palmo" is a noun in Spanish.

Phonetic Transcription

/pal.mo/

Translation Options into English

• Palm (as in the palm of the hand)
• Span (as a measure of length)

Meaning and Usage

The term "palmo" refers primarily to the palm of the hand, which is the inner surface extending from the wrist to the base of the fingers. Additionally, "palmo" can also denote a measure of length that roughly corresponds to the span of a person's hand, typically around 20-25 cm, although it is not a standardized measuring unit in modern contexts.

The use of "palmo" is somewhat specialized and primarily encountered in written texts or technical references about anatomy or traditional measuring systems. It is less common in everyday oral speech.

Example Sentences

1. El palmo es la parte de la mano que se utiliza para agarrar objetos.

2. The palm is the part of the hand that is used to grasp objects.

3. El tamaño de la herida en su palmo era preocupante.

4. The size of the wound on his palm was concerning.

5. Necesitamos medir la mesa en palmos para asegurarnos de que quepa en la sala.

6. We need to measure the table in palms to ensure it fits in the room.

Idiomatic Expressions

Though "palmo" is not commonly featured in many idiomatic expressions, it can be found in a few expressions related to measurement or aspects of hand function. Here are some relevant idioms and their translations:

1. A paso de palmo
2. Translation: At a snail's pace
3. Example: El proyecto avanza a paso de palmo, no sé cuándo lo terminaremos.

4. The project is moving at a snail's pace; I don't know when we'll finish it.

5. Costarle un palmo

6. Translation: To cost an arm and a leg
7. Example: Esa cirugía le costó un palmo, pero valió la pena.

8. That surgery cost him an arm and a leg, but it was worth it.

9. Medir algo por palmos

10. Translation: To measure something by hand
11. Example: Para estimar la longitud del campo, decidí medirlo por palmos.
12. To estimate the length of the field, I decided to measure it by hand.

Etymology

The word "palmo" originates from the Latin "palma," which also means palm. The word has historical significance in both anatomical reference and measurement in various cultures, making it a term with both practical and contextual importance.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: - Palma (referring directly to the palm of the hand) - Mano (hand, in a broader context)

Antonyms: - Dorso (back, as in the back of the hand)