Paddle — Defs

01 v. i. To use the hands or fingers in toying; to make caressing strokes.

1.
To use the hands or fingers in toying; to make caressing strokes.[Obs.]
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.

02 v. t. To pat or stroke amorously, or gently.

imp. & p. p. Paddled; p. pr. & vb. n. Paddling

1.
To pat or stroke amorously, or gently.[Obsolescent]
“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.]
4.
To spank with a paddle or as if with a paddle; -- usually as a disciplinary punishment of children.
5.
To mix (a viscous liquid) by stirring or beating with a paddle.

03 n. An implement with a broad blade, which is used without a fixed fulcrum in propelling and steering canoes and boats.

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;
“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. Also: clough
5.
A paddle-shaped foot, as of the sea turtle.(Zool.)
6.
A paddle-shaped implement for stirring or mixing.
7.
See Paddle staff (b), below.[Prov. Eng.]

Phrases & compounds

Paddle beam — one of two large timbers supporting the spring beam and paddle box of a steam vessel.

Paddle board — See Paddle, n., 3.

Paddle shaft — the revolving shaft which carries the paddle wheel of a steam vessel.

Paddle staff — A staff tipped with a broad blade, used by mole catchers.

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.