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 paw²

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

Example Sentences

Nothing seems to ruffle his fur as this political veteran glides from crisis to crisis with feline calm, and the lick of a paw.

From Barron's

Camille jumps off the sofa bed and starts pawing through her pile of clothes.

From Literature

The bukshah shook their heavy heads and pawed the ground when they went to drink in the morning and the evening.

From Literature

The dog snarled and lowered itself onto its front paws the way animals did when they were going to jump, or worse, bite.

From Literature

Moose, panting with fear, huddled beside Jonathan, pawing at Jonathan’s shoulder.

From Literature

Related Words

• fondle