Paddlewheel
/ˈpæd.əlˌwiːl/noun
A wheel with flat blades or paddles, used for propulsion or to move water.
Did you know?Paddlewheel is a transparent compound from paddle + wheel, and its “paddle” goes back to a word for a flat foot-like blade, not a mystical root or hidden curse.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
English
pædl
“A spatula-like paddle or flat blade used for stirring or moving something.”
Old English
English
hwēol
“A wheel, circular rotating device.”
Middle English
English
paddel
“A flat implement for rowing or stirring.”
Early Modern English
English
paddle wheel
“A wheel fitted with paddles for moving water or propelling a vessel.”
Modern English
English
paddlewheel
“A rotating wheel with flat blades or paddles.”
Explore more surprising origins