Is it handy for dates? (4)

I believe the answer is:

palm

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'it handy for dates?' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for palm that I've seen before include "Queen; station" , "Date-tree" , "Leaf in part of the hand?" , "Conceal magician" , "Evergreen tree and part of the hand" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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