Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Paddle?

\Pad"dle\, v. i. [Prob. for pattle, and a dim. of pat, v.; cf. also E. pad to tread, Prov. G. paddeln, padden, to walk with short steps, to paddle, G. patschen to splash, dash, dabble, F. patouiller to dabble, splash, fr. patte a paw. ?.] 1. To use the hands or fingers in toying; to make caressing strokes. [Obs.] --Shak. 2. To dabble in water with hands or feet; to use a paddle, or something which serves as a paddle, in swimming, in paddling a boat, etc. As the men were paddling for their lives. --L'Estrange. While paddling ducks the standing lake desire. --Gay.
\Pad"dle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Paddled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Paddling}] 1. To pat or stroke amorously, or gently. To be paddling palms and pinching fingers. --Shak. 2. To propel with, or as with, a paddle or paddles. 3. To pad; to tread upon; to trample. [Prov. Eng.]
\Pad"dle\, n. [See {Paddle}, v. i.] 1. An implement with a broad blade, which is used without a fixed fulcrum in propelling and steering canoes and boats. 2. The broad part of a paddle, with which the stroke is made; hence, any short, broad blade, resembling that of a paddle. Thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon. --Deut. xxiii. 13. 3. One of the broad boards, or floats, at the circumference of a water wheel, or paddle wheel. 4. A small gate in sluices or lock gates to admit or let off water; -- also called {clough}. 5. (Zo["o]l.) A paddle-shaped foot, as of the sea turtle. 6. A paddle-shaped implement for string or mixing. 7. [In this sense prob. for older spaddle, a dim. of spade.] See {Paddle staff} (b), below. [Prov. Eng.] {Paddle beam} (Shipbuilding), one of two large timbers supporting the spring beam and paddle box of a steam vessel. {Paddle board}. See {Paddle}, n., 3. {Paddle box}, the structure inclosing the upper part of the paddle wheel of a steam vessel. {Paddle shaft}, the revolving shaft which carries the paddle wheel of a steam vessel. {Paddle staff}. (a) A staff tipped with a broad blade, used by mole catchers. [Prov. Eng.] (b) A long-handled spade used to clean a plowshare; -- called also {plow staff}. [Prov. Eng.] {Paddle steamer}, a steam vessel propelled by paddle wheels, in distinction from a screw propeller. {Paddle wheel}, the propelling wheel of a steam vessel, having paddles (or floats) on its circumference, and revolving in a vertical plane parallel to the vessel's length.