dlani

Dlani is a term found in several South Slavic languages, most notably as the plural form of the noun dlan, meaning the palm of the hand. In Croatian, Bosnian, and Serbian, dlani is used to refer to the palms, whether in medical, anatomical, or everyday contexts.

Beyond its anatomical sense, dlani can appear in toponyms and as a surname component in communities that use Slavic languages. While not all occurrences indicate a fixed geographic place or family line, the form can appear in place names and family names, depending on historical naming patterns.

Etymology and related forms: The root derives from Proto-Slavic terms linked to the hand and its inner surface. Across Slavic languages, related words exist with similar meanings, though phonological changes yield different modern forms, such as ladon' in Russian or dlan in some South Slavic varieties.

Usage notes: In plural use, dlani denotes both palms, the palms of the hands, or palms belonging to more than one person. The term is generally neutral and is common in everyday speech, educational materials, and medical or anatomical discussions.