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.
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.]
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.