paddle

Where “paddle” sits in English frequency

Definition

1. 1
   A two-handed implement consisting of a shaft with one or two blades attached to the end(s) used to propel a canoe, kayak or a small boat. A paddle is unattached to the boat and freely operated with the hands, compared with an oar which is attached to the boat at a pivot point.
2. 2
   A two-handed implement consisting of a shaft with one or two blades attached to the end(s) used to propel a canoe, kayak or a small boat. A paddle is unattached to the boat and freely operated with the hands, compared with an oar which is attached to the boat at a pivot point.
3. 3
   The use of a paddle to propel a boat; a session of paddling.
4. 4
   A slat of a paddleboat's wheel.
5. 5
   A paddlewheel.
6. 6
   A blade of a waterwheel.
7. 7
   A game controller with a round wheel used to control player movement along one axis of the video screen.
8. 8
   A meandering walk or dabble through shallow water, especially at the seaside.
9. 9
   A kitchen utensil shaped like a paddle and used for mixing, beating etc.
10. 10
    A broad, flat spanking implement.
11. 11
    A broad, flat device used in striking the ball, analogous to a racket in tennis.
12. 12
    A flat board with a number of holes or indentations, used to carry small alcoholic drinks such as shots.
13. 13
    A flat limb of an aquatic animal, adapted for swimming.
14. 14
    In a sluice, a panel that controls the flow of water.
15. 15
    A handheld electrode used for defibrillation or cardioversion.
16. 16
    A flipper in a pinball machine.
17. 17
    A person's hand.
18. 18
    A flap of attached skin that has been cut away from a wound.
19. 19
    Alternative form of padel.

Etymology

Partly from the verb paddle ("to splash, dabble"; see below) and partly from Middle English padell (“small spade”). Middle English padell is from Medieval Latin padela, itself of uncertain origin: perhaps an alteration of Middle English *spaddle (see also spaddle), a diminutive of spade; or from Latin patella (“pan, plate”), the diminutive of patina, or a merger of the two. Compare Ancient Greek πηδάλιον (pēdálion, “rudder, steering oar”), derived from πηδόν (pēdón, “the blade of an oar; an oar”).

This word in other languages

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: apddle,paddel,paddlle,padlde,padle,pdadle,ppaddle

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of paddle - counted as single-character edits (an insertion, a deletion, or a substituted letter). The larger the bar, the easier the typo is to spot; one-edit slips are the ones that sneak past readers.

Frequently Asked Questions