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Palpable

“Palpable” 是形容词,本义为“可触知的、摸得着的”;更常用引申义“显而易见的、强烈的”,如 “palpable tension”(紧绷气氛肉眼可见)、“palpable relief”(如释重负,感受强烈)。医学语境中指“可触诊的”。

  1. “There was a palpable sense of relief when the results were announced.” (结果公布时,众人明显松了一口气。)
  2. “The crowd’s excitement was almost palpable.” (人群的兴奋几乎触手可及。)
  3. “The doctor found a palpable lump during the examination.” (检查中医生摸到一个可触及的肿块。)

“Palpable” 源自拉丁语 “palpabilis”,来自 “palpare”(轻抚、触摸),与 “palpate”(触诊)同源。

“-able” 表示“能够……的”,palp-(触摸)+ -able → 可触摸的;引申为可感知、明显的。

在新闻、演讲与文学评论中,“palpable” 常用来渲染现场氛围,比 “obvious” 更有画面感与身体感;法律写作中也见 “palpable error”(明显错误)。

  • 固定搭配: “palpable tension” (明显紧张气氛), “palpable excitement” (强烈的兴奋), “palpable error” (显而易见的错误)
  • 副词: palpably

与 “palpate”(触诊)联想:能被 palpate 到的,就是 palpable——摸得到,也感觉得到。

“As the verdict was read, a palpable silence fell over the courtroom.” (宣读判决时,法庭陷入一片清晰可感的寂静。)