English

Etymology 1

From padell (1407, "small spade"), from Medieval Latin padela, perhaps from patella "pan, plate", the diminutive of patina

Noun

1. A two-handed, single-bladed oar used to propel a canoe or a small boat.
2. A double-bladed oar used for kayaking.
3. Time spent on paddling.

   We had a nice paddle this morning.

4. A slat of a paddleboat's wheel.
5. A paddlewheel.
6. A blade of a waterwheel.
7. A meandering walk or dabble through shallow water, especially at the seaside.
8. A kitchen utensil shaped like a paddle and used for mixing, beating etc.
9. A bat-shaped spanking implement

   The paddle practically ousted the British cane as the spanker's attribute in the independent US

10. A ping-pong bat.
11. A flat limb of an aquatic animal, adapted for swimming.

    A sea turtle's paddles make it swim almost as fast as land tortoises are slow

12. In a sluice, a panel that controls the flow of water.
13. A group of inerts

Verb

1. To propel something through water with a paddle, oar or hands.
2. To row a boat with less than one's full capacity.
3. To spank with a paddle.

Etymology 2

Recorded since 1530, probably cognate with Low German paddeln "to tramp about," frequent. of padjen "to tramp, to run in short steps," from pad (also in Dutch dialects)

Verb

1. To walk or dabble playfully in shallow water, especially at the seaside.
2. To toddle
3. To toy or caress using hands or fingers