Collins English-English Dictionary

paddle ['pæd^əl]

1. 1. n float a blade of a water wheel or paddle wheel

2. 2. n a short light oar with a flat blade at one or both ends, used without a rowlock to propel a canoe or small boat

3. 3. n a period of paddling

   to go for a paddle upstream

4. 4. n a paddle wheel used to propel a boat

5. 5. n (as modifier)

   a paddle steamer

6. 6. n the sliding panel in a lock or sluicegate that regulates the level or flow of water

7. 7. n any of various instruments shaped like a paddle and used for beating, mixing, etc

8. 8. n a table-tennis bat

9. 9. n the flattened limb of a seal, turtle, or similar aquatic animal, specialized for swimming

10. 10. vb to propel (a canoe, small boat, etc) with a paddle

11. 11. vt. [tr] to convey by paddling

    we paddled him to the shore

12. 12. vt. [tr] to stir or mix with or as if with a paddle

13. 13. vt. to row (a boat) steadily, esp (of a racing crew) to row firmly but not at full pressure

14. 14. vi. [intr] (of steamships) to be propelled by paddle wheels

15. 15. vi. [intr] to swim with short rapid strokes, like a dog

16. 16. vt. [tr] [US and Canadian] [Spoken] to spank

17. 17. vt. [Etymology] C15: of unknown origin

paddle ['pæd^əl]

1. 1. vb [mainly intr] to walk or play barefoot in shallow water, mud, etc

2. 2. vb to dabble the fingers, hands, or feet in water

3. 3. vb to walk unsteadily, like a baby

4. 4. vt. [tr] [Archaic] to fondle with the fingers

5. 5. n the act of paddling in water

6. 6. n [Etymology] C16: of uncertain origin