The Collaborative International Dictionary
Paddle \Pad"dle\, n. [See Paddle, v. i.]
An implement with a broad blade, which is used without a fixed fulcrum in propelling and steering canoes and boats.
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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. 1 3. One of the broad boards, or floats, at the circumference of a water wheel, or paddle wheel.
A small gate in sluices or lock gates to admit or let off water; -- also called clough.
(Zo["o]l.) A paddle-shaped foot, as of the sea turtle.
A paddle-shaped implement for stirring or mixing.
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[In this sense prob. for older spaddle, a dim. of spade.] 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 staff tipped with a broad blade, used by mole catchers. [Prov. Eng.]
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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.
Wiktionary
n. (context nautical English) A large wheel, fitted with paddles, used to propel a vessel (especially a paddle steamer)
WordNet
n. a large wheel fitted with paddles and driven by an engine in order to propel a boat [syn: paddlewheel]
Wikipedia
A paddle wheel is a form of waterwheel or impeller in which a number of paddles are set around the periphery of the wheel. It has several uses, some of which are:
- Very low-lift water pumping, such as flooding paddy fields at no more than about height above the water source.
- To move and mix algae culture in the raceway ponds used for algaculture.
- Propulsion of boats (as a paddlewheel)
- Low head hydro power (as a waterwheel)
- Flow sensors
- Aerators
The paddle wheel is an ancient invention but is still used today in a wide range of industrial and agriculture applications.
Usage examples of "paddle wheel".
Far down the river Mark stood in the paddle wheel watching the flames, and he wept.
At that moment, the giant paddle wheel was still turning, driving the stricken vessel towards the shore.
Arms flailing, she toppled sideways on to the deck, landing back-first across the huge iron-strapped and bolted beam that drove the left-hand side of the paddle wheel.
Like the blades on the huge paddle wheel they drove round, the two long wooden beams were reinforced with metal straps, pins and inserts.
By the time Marsha was down the stairs, Victor had rounded the paddle wheel and was heading toward the intimidating metal door barring the entrance to the unexplored portion of VJ’.
The right-hand paddle wheel went faster, and the left-hand one slowed.
Timbers smashed over the paddle wheel, and then the deck came apart in a shower of splinters and white smoke as the boiler ruptured.