paw

¹ American  

[paw] / pɔ /

noun

1. the foot of an animal having claws.

2. the foot of any animal.

3. Informal. the human hand, especially one that is large, rough, or clumsy.

   Keep your paws off my property.

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verb (used with object)

1. to strike or scrape with the paws or feet.

   a dog pawing the door.

2. Informal. to handle or caress clumsily, rudely, or with unwelcome familiarity.

verb (used without object)

1. to beat or scrape the floor, ground, etc., with the paws or feet.

2. Informal. to handle or caress someone or something in a clumsy or rude manner or with unwelcome familiarity.

paw ² American  

[paw] / pɔ /

noun

Informal.

1. father; pa.

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paw British  

/ pɔː /

noun

1. any of the feet of a four-legged mammal, bearing claws or nails

2. informal a hand, esp one that is large, clumsy, etc

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verb

1. to scrape or contaminate with the paws or feet

2. informal (tr) to touch or caress in a clumsy, rough, or overfamiliar manner; maul

Other Word Forms

• pawer noun
• unpawed adjective

Etymology

Origin of paw¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English pau(w)e, poue, from Middle French po(u)e (cognate with Provençal pauta ), from Germanic; compare Dutch poot, German Pfote

Origin of paw¹

First recorded in 1820–30; earlier and dialect pronunciation of pa

Example Sentences

Salt also damages buildings, vehicles and other objects, she said, and presents "a problem for animals. Pet owners notice it on their paws. It's simply corrosive."

From Barron's

One example that profoundly impressed Mr. Rossano showed a dog pushing a series of buttons to communicate that something was stuck in his paw.

From The Wall Street Journal

He lifted its tail and turned over its soft hind paws in his hands.

From Literature

She scratches her paws against the window and presses her squashed-up nose against the glass.

From Literature

The cat sat, licked a paw, but kept one distrusting eye on Coal, which was fair enough, he guessed.

From Literature

Related Words

• fondle