Entry 4 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913 Palmate · Pal·mate · IPA /ˈpɑmeit/ n. a. 01 n. A salt of palmic acid; a ricinoleate. 1. A salt of palmic acid; a ricinoleate.(Chem.) [Obsoles.] 02 a. Having the shape of the hand; resembling a hand with the fingers spread. 1. Having the shape of the hand; resembling a hand with the fingers spread. 2. Spreading from the apex of a petiole, as the divisions of a leaf, or leaflets, so as to resemble the hand with outspread fingers.(Bot.) 3. Having the anterior toes united by a web, as in most swimming birds; webbed. See Illust. (i) under Aves.(Zool.) See: Aves