I. ˈpa-d ə l intransitive verb
( pad·dled ; pad·dling ˈpad-liŋ, ˈpa-d ə l-iŋ)
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1530
1. : to move the hands or feet about in shallow water
2. archaic : to use the hands or fingers in toying or caressing
3. : toddle
• pad·dler ˈpad-lər, ˈpa-d ə l-ər noun
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English padell spade-shaped tool for cleaning a plow
Date: 1624
1.
a. : a usually wooden implement that has a long handle and a broad flattened blade and that is used to propel and steer a small craft (as a canoe)
b. : an implement often with a short handle and a broad flat blade that is used for stirring, mixing, or hitting ; especially : one used to hit a ball in any of various games (as table tennis)
c. : a small usually numbered sign that is raised by a bidder at an auction to signal a bid
d. : a flat electrode that is the part of a defibrillator placed on the chest of a patient and through which a shock of electricity is discharged
2.
a. : any of the broad boards at the circumference of a paddle wheel or waterwheel
b. : any of the broad blades attached to a shaft (as in an ice cream machine) and used for stirring
3. : a computer input device with a dial used to control linear movement of a cursor on a computer display
III. verb
( pad·dled ; pad·dling ˈpad-liŋ, ˈpa-d ə l-iŋ)
Date: 1677
intransitive verb
: to go on or through water by or as if by means of a paddle or paddle wheel
transitive verb
1.
a. : to propel by a paddle
b. : to transport in a paddled craft
paddled us to shore in his canoe
2.
a. : to beat or stir with or as if with a paddle (as in washing or dyeing)
b. : to punish by or as if by beating with a paddle
• pad·dler ˈpad-lər, ˈpa-d ə l-ər noun