paddlewheel

Thân thiện

The paddlewheel churns the water as the riverboat moves forward.

Definition

Noun: 1. A Propulsion Device: A large wheel fitted with paddles or flat boards around its circumference. It is rotated by an engine to push against water, thereby propelling a boat or ship.

Usage

The term "paddlewheel" specifically refers to the mechanical wheel itself, which is a key component of a paddle steamer's propulsion system. It is typically mounted on the side (side-wheeler) or at the stern (stern-wheeler) of a vessel.

Examples

• The historic riverboat was powered by a massive red paddlewheel at its stern.
• The engine's power turns the paddlewheel, churning the water and moving the boat forward.
• We watched the paddlewheel splash rhythmically as the steamboat navigated the river.

Advanced Usage

• As a defining feature: The word is often used to describe the type of vessel itself, e.g., "a paddlewheel ferry" or "a paddlewheel boat."
• Historical context: It is strongly associated with 19th-century steamboats used on rivers like the Mississippi.

Variants and Related Words

• Paddle steamer (n): The entire boat or ship that is propelled by a paddlewheel.
• Paddle boat (n): A smaller vessel, often for leisure, propelled by paddlewheels.
• Side-wheeler (n): A vessel with a paddlewheel on each side.
• Stern-wheeler (n): A vessel with a single paddlewheel at the rear.

Synonyms

• Propeller (n): A more modern device with rotating blades used for propulsion. (Note: A propeller is submerged, while a paddlewheel is typically partially above water.)
• Screw (n): Another term for a propeller.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• (To be) a paddlewheel short of a steamboat: A humorous, less common variant of idioms like "a few cards short of a full deck," implying someone is not very intelligent or is somewhat eccentric.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a large wheel fitted with paddles and driven by an engine in order to propel a boat

Từ đồng nghĩa

• paddle wheel