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Discuss Email this Feedback RSS/XML Permalink A.Word.A.Day--palmy This week's theme: words from the plant kingdom. palmy (PAH-mee) adjective 1. Abounding in palm trees. 2. Flourishing; prosperous. [From Latin palma (palm tree).] Today's word in Visual Thesaurus. The term palmy is usually used to refer to a time in the past. The name of the palm tree derives from the resemblance of the shape of its frond to the palm of a hand. Why the association of palm with prosperity? The fronds of the palm tree were carried as symbols of victory in ancient times. There is a related term, palmary, meaning outstanding or praiseworthy. -Anu Garg garg AT wordsmith.org "Below, the oceanfront mansion in East Hampton, N.Y., bought in his palmy days." (photo caption) Eric Wilson; Decline And Fall of Helmut Lang; The New York Times; May 26, 2005. X-Bonus If writers were good businessmen, they'd have too much sense to be writers. -Irvin S. Cobb, author and journalist (1876-1944)

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