(archaic) a tablet held before the breast by officials when having an audience with the emperor

(archaic) an official calling card or memo presented when seeking an interview with a superior or examiner

the palm of the hand

(colloquial) the palm of the hand

(archaic) a flat wooden stick or ruler used in old-style private schools to punish students by hitting their palms

(literary) an elongated tablet held by officials during imperial audiences; used for taking notes, it was typically made of jade, ivory, or wood

(literary) an official memo or calling card presented by a subordinate when visiting a superior, or by a student when visiting a teacher