PALM

Dictionary of Science, Literature and Art · 1842 · p. 33

(Lat. palm a./Ae /«an<?.) An ancient measure of length taken from the extent of the hand. There were two different palms; one corresponding to the length of the hand, and the other to the breadth. The Roman palm was about 8^ English inches. The English palm is understood to be 3 inches. [s. 889]