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paddle
The definition of a paddle is a metal or wooden instrument used for stirring, moving forward or beating.
(noun)- An example of a paddle is what you would use to stir clay.
- An example of a paddle is what you would use to move a boat forward in the water.
- An example of a paddle is what is sometimes used to use to punish disobedient children.
To paddle is to push against the water to move forward.
(verb)- An example of to paddle is to move the feet and hands while swimming to swim forward.
- An example of to paddle is to use a piece of wood to move a boat forward.
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See paddle in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
- a relatively short pole with a broad blade at one end or sometimes both ends, held in the hands and used to propel and steer a canoe, kayak, etc.
- any of various implements shaped like this; specif.,
- a metal tool for stirring iron in a furnace
- a small, flat, wooden instrument for working butter, stirring clay, etc.
- ☆ a flat stick used for beating clothes in washing them by hand, as in a stream
- a flat, wooden stick for administering punishment by beating
- ☆ a flat, rounded piece of wood with a short handle, used to hit a ball, as in table tennis
- any of the propelling boards in a water wheel or paddle wheel
Origin: ME padell, small spade < ?
transitive verb
- to propel (a canoe, etc.) by means of a paddle or paddles
- to punish by beating as with a paddle; spank
- to stir, work, etc. with a paddle
Related Forms:
- paddler noun
Related Forms:
- paddler noun
See paddle in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- A usually wooden implement having a blade at one end or sometimes at both ends, used without an oarlock to propel a canoe or small boat.
- Any of various implements resembling the paddle of a boat or canoe, as:a. An iron tool for stirring molten ore in a furnace.b. A tool with a shovellike blade used to mix materials in glassmaking.c. A potter's pallet.d. A narrow board used to beat clothes when laundering by hand.e. A flattened board used to administer physical punishment.f. Sports A light wooden or plastic racket used in playing table tennis, platform tennis, and similar games.
- A board on a paddle wheel.
- A flipper or flattened appendage of certain animals.
- Botany See pad1.
- The act of paddling.
- Nautical a. To propel a watercraft with paddles or a paddle.b. To row slowly and gently.
- To move through water by means of repeated short strokes of the limbs.
- Nautical a. To propel (a watercraft) with paddles or a paddle.b. To convey in a watercraft propelled by paddles.
- To spank or beat with a paddle, especially as a punishment.
- To stir or shape (material) with a paddle.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English padell, tool used to clean plowshares
Origin: , perhaps from Medieval Latin padela
.Related Forms:
- padˈdler noun
(click for a larger image)
paddle1
left to right: paddleball, canoe, and kayak paddles
intransitive verb pad·dled, pad·dling, pad·dles
- To dabble about in shallow water; splash gently with the hands or feet.
- To move with a waddling motion; toddle.
Origin:
Origin: Perhaps of Low German origin
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