paddle

Pronunciation: [ˈpʰæ.ɾɫ̩]

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun small wooden bat with a flat surface; used for hitting balls in various games
  2. noun a blade of a paddle wheel or water wheel
  3. noun an instrument of punishment consisting of a flat board

Etymology

Partly from the verb paddle ("to splash, dabble"; see below) and partly from Middle English padell (“small spade”). Middle English padell is from Medieval Latin padela, itself of uncertain origin: perhaps an alteration of Middle English *spaddle (see also spaddle), a diminutive of spade; or from Latin patella (“pan, plate”), the diminutive of patina, or a merger of the two. Compare Ancient Greek πηδάλιον (pēdálion, “rudder, steering oar”), derived from πηδόν (pēdón, “the blade of an oar; an oar”).

In classic literature

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
bat
Narrower (hyponyms)
table-tennis racquet

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