Adjective

(en adjective)

Easy, now especially in a disparaging sense; contemptibly easy.

* , vol.I, New York, 2001, p.243:

as he that is benumbed with cold sits shaking, that might relieve himself with a little exercise or stirring, do they complain, but will not use the facile and ready means to do themselves good […].

His facile disposition made him many friends.

Effortless, fluent (of work, abilities etc.).

* 1932 , (Duff Cooper), Talleyrand , Folio Society 2010, p. 54:

we can learn the impression that he made upon a stranger and a foreigner at this period, thanks to the facile pen of Fannu Burney.

* 1974 , (Graham Greene), (The Honorary Consul) , Pocket Books, New York, p.54:

"Discipline," Jorge Julio Saavedra was repeating, "is more necessary to me than to other more facile writers.

* 1990 , (Peter Hopkirk), The Great Game , Folio Society 2010, p. 372:

A facile and persuasive writer, he also turned out countless newspaper articles on Russian aims in Central Asia and how best these could be thwarted.

Lazy, simplistic (especially of explanations, discussions etc.).

* 2012 , (Chris Huhne), The Guardian , 3 May 2012:

There is a facile view that our green commitments – to tackling climate change, avoiding air and water pollution, protecting natural habitats – are an obstacle to growth. The message of the commodity markets is surely different.

(chemistry) Of a reaction or other process, taking place readily.

Decarboxylation of beta-keto acids is facile ...

Adjective

(en adjective)

Capable of being touched, felt or handled; touchable, tangible.

* (William Shakespeare), Hamlet , act 5, sc. 2:

Osric: A hit, a very palpable hit.

* 1838 , (Edgar Allan Poe), "Ligeia":

I had felt that some palpable although invisible object had passed lightly by my person.

* 1894 , (Bret Harte), "The Heir of the McHulishes" in A Protegee of Jack Hamlin's and Other Stories :

The next morning the fog had given way to a palpable , horizontally driving rain.

Obvious or easily perceived; noticeable.

*

, title=(The Celebrity), chapter=5 , passage=Although the Celebrity was almost impervious to sarcasm, he was now beginning to exhibit visible signs of uneasiness,

* 1913 , (Sax Rohmer), The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu ch. 24:

Her voice, her palpable agitation, prepared us for something extraordinary.

* 1916 , (Kathleen Norris), The Heart of Rachael , ch. 7:

No use in raging, in reasoning, in arguing. No use in setting forth the facts, the palpable right and wrong.

(medicine) That can be detected by palpation.