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Definition of paddle verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

paddle

verb
 
/ˈpædl/
 
/ˈpædl/
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they paddle
 
/ˈpædl/
 
/ˈpædl/
he / she / it paddles
 
/ˈpædlz/
 
/ˈpædlz/
past simple paddled
 
/ˈpædld/
 
/ˈpædld/
past participle paddled
 
/ˈpædld/
 
/ˈpædld/
-ing form paddling
 
/ˈpædlɪŋ/
 
/ˈpædlɪŋ/
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  1. [intransitive, transitive] to move a small boat through water using a paddle
    • (+ adv./prep.) We paddled downstream for about a mile.
    • paddle something (+ adv./prep.) We paddled the canoe along the coast.
    Topics Transport by waterc1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • frantically
    • furiously
    See full entry
  2. (British English)
    (North American English wade)
    [intransitive] to walk or stand with no shoes or socks in shallow water in the sea, a lake, etc.
    • The children have gone paddling.
    Topics Hobbiesb2
  3. [intransitive] to swim with short movements of your hands or feet up and down
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • frantically
    • furiously
    See full entry
  4. [transitive] paddle somebody/something (North American English) to hit a child with a flat piece of wood as a punishment
  5. Word Originverb sense 1 and verb senses 3 to 4 late Middle English (denoting a small spade-like implement): of unknown origin. Current senses date from the 17th cent. verb sense 2 mid 16th cent.: of obscure origin; compare with Low German paddeln ‘tramp about’; the association with water remains unexplained.
See paddle in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
perspective
noun
 
 
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