Hypertext Webster Gateway: "paddle"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

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.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Paddle \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.]

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Paddle \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.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

paddle
n 1: small wooden bat with a flat surface; used for hitting balls
in various games
2: a blade of a paddle wheel or water wheel
3: an instrument of punishment consisting of a flat board
4: a short light oar used without an oarlock to propel a canoe
or small boat [syn: {boat paddle}]
v 1: propel with a paddle
2: play in or as if in water, as of small children [syn: {dabble},
{splash around}]
3: swim like a dog; in shallow water
4: walk unsteadily, as of small children [syn: {toddle}, {coggle},
{totter}, {dodder}, {waddle}]
5: give a spanking to; subject to a spanking [syn: {spank}, {larrup}]
6: stir with a paddle


Additional Hypertext Webster Gateway Lookup

Enter word here:
Exact Approx


dict.stokkie.net
Gateway by dict@stokkie.net
stock only wrote the gateway and does not have any control over the contents; see the Webster Gateway FAQ, and also the Back-end/database links and credits.