| paddle | 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. <zoology> A paddle-shaped foot, as of the sea turtle. 6. A paddle-shaped implement for string or mixing. 7. [In this sense prob. For older spaddle, a dim. Of spade] See Paddle staff (b), below. Paddle beam, one of two large timbers supporting the spring beam and paddle box of a steam vessel. Paddle board. See Paddle. 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 staff tipped with a broad blade, used by mole catchers. A long-handled spade used to clean a plowshare; called also plow staff. 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. See: Paddle. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| paddlecock | <zoology> The lumpfish. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| paddlefish | <zoology> A large ganoid fish (Polyodon spathula) found in the rivers of the Mississippi Valley. It has a long spatula-shaped snout. Synonym: duck-billed cat, and spoonbill sturgeon. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| paddlewood | <botany> The light elastic wood of the Aspidosperma excelsum, a tree of Guiana having a fluted trunk readily split into planks. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |