a long measure used both by the Greeks and Romans. The Grecian palmus was of two sorts; the greater, which contained nine finger breadths, and the less which contained four. The Roman palmus was also of two sorts; the greater, which contained twelve finger breadths, or eight inches and a half English; and the less, which contained four finger breadths, or near three inches English.—The great palmus was taken from the length of the hand or span; the less from the breadth of it. The Greek palmus was called dorean. See MEASURE.