Pad·dle, n.
 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, such as that used in table tennis.
    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. Zool. A paddle-shaped foot, as of the sea turtle.
 6. A paddle-shaped implement for stirring or mixing.
 7.  See Paddle staff (b), below. [Prov. Eng.]
 Paddle beam Shipbuilding, one of two large timbers supporting the spring beam and paddle box of a steam vessel.
 Paddle board. See Paddle, n., 3.
 Paddle shaft, the revolving shaft which carries the paddle wheel of a steam vessel.
 Paddle staff. (a) A staff tipped with a broad blade, used by mole catchers. [Prov. Eng.] (b) A long-handled spade used to clean a plowshare; -- called also plow staff. [Prov. Eng.]
 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.

 ◄ ►


 Plow, Plough  n.
 1. A well-known implement, drawn by horses, mules, oxen, or other power, for turning up the soil to prepare it for bearing crops; also used to furrow or break up the soil for other purposes; as, the subsoil plow; the draining plow.
    Where fern succeeds ungrateful to the plow.   --Dryden.
 2. Fig.: Agriculture; husbandry.
 3. A carucate of land; a plowland. [Obs.] [Eng.]
    Johan, mine eldest son, shall have plowes five.   --Tale of Gamelyn.
 4. A joiner's plane for making grooves; a grooving plane.
 5. Bookbinding An implement for trimming or shaving off the edges of books.
 6. Astron. Same as Charles's Wain.
 Ice plow, a plow used for cutting ice on rivers, ponds, etc., into cakes suitable for storing. [U. S.]
 Mackerel plow. See under Mackerel.
 Plow alms, a penny formerly paid by every plowland to the church. --Cowell.
 Plow beam, that part of the frame of a plow to which the draught is applied. See Beam, n., 9.
 Plow Monday, the Monday after Twelth Day, or the end of Christmas holidays.
 Plow staff. (a) A kind of long-handled spade or paddle for cleaning the plowshare; a paddle staff. (b) A plow handle.
 Snow plow, a structure, usually Λ-shaped, for removing snow from sidewalks, railroads, etc., -- drawn or driven by a horse or a locomotive.