Category:Paddle

Pad"dle, v. i. Etym: [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.

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.]

Paddle Pad"dle, n. Etym: [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. (zoöl.)

Defn: a paddle-shaped foot, as of the sea turtle.

6. A paddle-shaped implement for string or mixing.

7. Etym: [in this sense prob. for older spaddle, a dim. of spade.]

Defn: 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.