paddle1

[pad-l] /ˈpæd l/
noun
1.
a short, flat bladed oar for propelling and steering a canoe or small boat, usually held by both hands and moved more or less through a vertical arc.
2.
any of various similar implements used for mixing, stirring, or beating.
3.
any of various similar but smaller implements with a short handle for holding in one hand and a wide or rounded blade, used for a racket in table tennis, paddle tennis, etc.
4.
such an implement or a similarly shaped makeshift one, used to spank or beat someone.
5.
an implement used for beating garments while washing them in running water, as in a stream.
6.
Also called float, floatboard. a blade of a paddle wheel.
7.
paddle wheel.
8.
any of the blades by which a water wheel is turned.
9.
a flipper or limb of a penguin, turtle, whale, etc.
10.
an act of paddling.
11.
Also, pattle. British Dialect. a small spade with a long handle, used to dig up thistles.
12.
(in a gate of a lock or sluice) a panel that slides to permit the passage of water.
verb (used without object), paddled, paddling.
13.
to propel or travel in a canoe or the like by using a paddle.
14.
to row lightly or gently with oars.
15.
to move by means of paddle wheels, as a steamer.
verb (used with object), paddled, paddling.
16.
to propel with a paddle:
to paddle a canoe.
17.
to spank or beat with or as with a paddle.
18.
to stir, mix, or beat with or as with a paddle.
19.
to convey by paddling, as a canoe.
20.
to hit (a table-tennis ball or the like) with a paddle.
Idioms
21.
paddle one's own canoe. canoe (def 6).
Origin
1375-1425; late Middle English padell (noun)
Related forms
paddler, noun

paddle2

[pad-l] /ˈpæd l/
verb (used without object), paddled, paddling.
1.
to move the feet or hands playfully in shallow water; dabble.
2.
to toy with the fingers.
3.
to toddle.
Origin
1520-30; origin uncertain
Related forms
paddler, noun
Examples from the web for paddle
  • Propel and steer the boat by using one double-bladed paddle.
  • But he found a box of provisions and a paddle, and salvaged both by swimming into midstream after them.
  • He must be the wielder of axe and of paddle, the rider of fiery horses, the master of the craft that leaps through white water.
  • All these were paddle-wheel boats and paddlewheel boats are not adapted to work in heavy seas.
  • During each paddle stroke, the pressure of the water against the concrete hull compresses it slightly.
  • If you ever swim or paddle upstream, you will notice two things.
  • Put paddle wheels in the bowl of peoples crapper-trappers.
  • And when you open them up they create a bowl someone can crawl inside, and they paddle with them.
  • The lid is used as a paddle to stir the liquid away from you.
  • The other paddle, meanwhile, modulates the effect of regenerative braking.
British Dictionary definitions for paddle

paddle1

/ˈpædəl/
noun
1.
a short light oar with a flat blade at one or both ends, used without a rowlock to propel a canoe or small boat
2.
Also called float. a blade of a water wheel or paddle wheel
3.
a period of paddling: to go for a paddle upstream
4.
  1. a paddle wheel used to propel a boat
  2. (as modifier): a paddle steamer
5.
the sliding panel in a lock or sluicegate that regulates the level or flow of water
6.
any of various instruments shaped like a paddle and used for beating, mixing, etc
7.
a table-tennis bat
8.
the flattened limb of a seal, turtle, or similar aquatic animal, specialized for swimming
verb
9.
to propel (a canoe, small boat, etc) with a paddle
10.
paddle one's own canoe
  1. to be self-sufficient
  2. to mind one's own business
11.
(transitive) to convey by paddling: we paddled him to the shore
12.
(transitive) to stir or mix with or as if with a paddle
13.
to row (a boat) steadily, esp (of a racing crew) to row firmly but not at full pressure
14.
(intransitive) (of steamships) to be propelled by paddle wheels
15.
(intransitive) to swim with short rapid strokes, like a dog
16.
(transitive) (US & Canadian, informal) to spank
Derived Forms
paddler, noun
Word Origin
C15: of unknown origin

paddle2

/ˈpædəl/
verb (mainly intransitive)
1.
to walk or play barefoot in shallow water, mud, etc
2.
to dabble the fingers, hands, or feet in water
3.
to walk unsteadily, like a baby
4.
(transitive) (archaic) to fondle with the fingers
noun
5.
the act of paddling in water
Derived Forms
paddler, noun
Word Origin
C16: of uncertain origin
Word Origin and History for paddle
n.

c.1400, padell "small spade," from Medieval Latin padela, of uncertain origin, perhaps from Latin patella "small pan, little dish, plate," diminutive of patina (see pan (n.)).

Meaning "short oar with a wide blade" is from 1620s. As an instrument used for beating clothes (and slaves, and schoolboys), it is recorded from 1828, American English. Paddle-ball attested from 1935.

v.

"to dabble, wade in water," 1520s, probably cognate with Low German paddeln "tramp about," frequentative of padjen "to tramp, to run in short steps," from pad (v.). Related: Paddled; paddling. Meaning "to move in water by means of paddles" is a different word (see paddle (v.3)).

"to beat with a paddle, spank," 1856, from paddle (n.). Related: Paddled; paddling.

"to move in water by means of paddles," 1670s, from paddle (n.). To paddle one's (own) canoe "do for oneself" is from 1828.

Slang definitions & phrases for paddle

paddle

Related Terms

up shit creek


paddle in Technology


A language for transformations leading from specification to program. Used in the POPART programming environment generator.
(1994-11-30)

Idioms and Phrases with paddle

paddle

In addition to the idiom beginning with paddle also see: up the creek (without a paddle)