ˈpalˌmāt, ˈpäˌm- adjective
also palmat·ed -ād.ə̇d
Etymology: palmate from Late Latin palmatus, from Latin, marked with the palm of a hand, from palma palm + -atus -ate, palmated from palmate + -ed — more at palm
: having the shape of the hand : resembling a hand with the fingers spread: as
a. : having lobes radiating from a common point — used originally only of 5-lobed leaves but now also of other lobed leaves, of leaf venation, and of other plant organs (as the tubers of some orchids); see leaf illustration, venation illustration
b.
(1) of an aquatic bird : having the anterior toes united by a web : webbed
(2) : having the distal portion broad, flat, and lobed suggesting a hand with spread fingers — used especially of the branches of corals or the antlers of a moose
• palmate·ly adverb