Definition of paddle

What does the word paddle mean?

• part of speech: verb intransitive

  Move on water, propel canoe, by means of paddles; row gently (n.) action, spell, of paddling.

• part of speech: verb intransitive

  Dabble with the feet in shallow water; toy with the fingers (in, on, about, thing); (of child) toddle.

• part of speech: noun

  Small spade-like implement with long handle; short broad-bladed oar used without rowlock; double p. (with blade at each end); one of the boards fitted round circumference of p.-wheel; p.-shaped instrument; p.-wheel, wheel for propelling ship, with boards round circumference so as to press backward against water; p.-box, casing over upper part of this.

• part of speech: participle

  (fig.) depend on oneself alone.