paddle
pronunciation
How to pronounce paddle in British English: UK [ˈpædl]
How to pronounce paddle in American English: US [ˈpædl]
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- Noun:
- small wooden bat with a flat surface; used for hitting balls in various games
- a blade of a paddle wheel or water wheel
- an instrument of punishment consisting of a flat board
- a short light oar used without an oarlock to propel a canoe or small boat
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- Verb:
- propel with a paddle
- play in or as if in water, as of small children
- swim like a dog in shallow water
- walk unsteadily
- give a spanking to; subject to a spanking
- stir with a paddle
Word Origin
- paddle (n.)
- c. 1400, padell "small spade," from Medieval Latin padela, of uncertain origin, perhaps from Latin patella "small pan, little dish, plate," diminutive of patina (see pan (n.)). Meaning "short oar with a wide blade" is from 1620s. As an instrument used for beating clothes (and slaves, and schoolboys), it is recorded from 1828, American English. Paddle-ball attested from 1935.
- paddle (v.1)
- "to dabble, wade in water," 1520s, probably cognate with Low German paddeln "tramp about," frequentative of padjen "to tramp, to run in short steps," from pad (v.). Related: Paddled; paddling. Meaning "to move in water by means of paddles" is a different word (see paddle (v.3)).
- paddle (v.2)
- "to beat with a paddle, spank," 1856, from paddle (n.). Related: Paddled; paddling.
- paddle (v.3)
- "to move in water by means of paddles," 1670s, from paddle (n.). To paddle one's (own) canoe "do for oneself" is from 1828.
Example
- 1. The six-sided paddle in the upper left of this image is curiosity 's high-gain antenna .
- 2. Having experienced this reference , henry 's task was to decide whether subsequent stirrings used the reference paddle or a different one .
- 3. Jane dropped her paddle in an uncharacteristic gesture of despair .
- 4. During the day , they paddle canoes , shoot arrows , go swimming and explore nature .
- 5. You hone your skill with a pen instead of a paddle , lay bare your soul on paper , and send it in to a magazine editor .