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paddle

pad·dle

paddle

 
 
pronunciation:
pae dl
parts of speech:
noun, intransitive verb, transitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (noun, verb), Word Explorer
part of speech: noun
definition 1: a wide-bladed oar with a long handle, used with both arms for moving a small boat, esp. a canoe, through the water.
The person sitting at the back uses the paddle to steer as well as to propel the canoe.
 
definition 2: in table tennis and other sports, a similar, smaller device with a short handle used to hit the ball.
You need to angle your paddle more carefully as you hit the ball.
definition 3: a blade of a water wheel.
He watched the water falling over the paddles as the wheel turned.
definition 4: a usu. wooden implement with a handle and a wide blade, used for serving food or, especially in the past, for spanking.
Using her paddle, she filled each bowl with rice.
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part of speech: intransitive verb
inflections: paddles, paddling, paddled
definition 1: to use a paddle, esp. to propel a canoe or the like.
We paddled back up the river to our camp.
similar words:
row
definition 2: to swim through water with short forward strokes in a manner similar to crawling, or to make similar motions in water without moving forward.
The dog paddled toward the floating stick.He hadn't been taught how to swim, but luckily he was able to paddle until the boat could pick him up.
 
part of speech: transitive verb
definition 1: to propel (a canoe or the like) by using a paddle.
My father taught me how to paddle a canoe.
similar words:
row
definition 2: to spank with or as if with a paddle.
In past times, it was common to paddle a child who misbehaved.
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See
  boat