paw

[ paw ]

See synonyms for: paw pawing paws on Thesaurus.com

noun

the foot of an animal having claws.
the foot of any animal.

Informal. the human hand, especially one that is large, rough, or clumsy: Keep your paws off my property.

verb (used with object)

to strike or scrape with the paws or feet: a dog pawing the door.
Informal. to handle or caress clumsily, rudely, or with unwelcome familiarity.

verb (used without object)

to beat or scrape the floor, ground, etc., with the paws or feet.
Informal. to handle or caress someone or something in a clumsy or rude manner or with unwelcome familiarity.

Origin of paw

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

Other words from paw

paw·er, noun
un·pawed, adjective

Words that may be confused with paw

1. paw , poor, pore
2. pause, paws , pores, pours

Other definitions for paw (2 of 2)

paw²

[ paw ]

nounInformal.

father; pa.

Origin of paw

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use paw in a sentence

CLAIRE: (blinks rapidly) But Francis, we have the Paws and Purrsonality pancake breakfast next week.
Frank Underwood Will Not Tolerate Insubordination in This Olive Garden | Kelly Williams Brown | February 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
However, the trailer, featuring the song “Dirty Paws” by Of Monsters and Men, gives glimpses of its great potential.
Ben Stiller’s ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ Trailer Released | Rachel Osman | July 30, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
He holds his left arm at his side and paws with it to set up whacks from the big stick of his right.
Vitali Klitschko Contemplates Bowing Out of the Ring and Entering Ukrainian Politics | Gordon Marino | March 26, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Take this sentence: "With the snake in sight, the horse reeled his paws in fright."
Why Do We Want Prices in Health Care? | Megan McArdle | February 27, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
After that, members of PAWS arranged for Rider to fly to California.
The ASPCA Pays Price For Bad-Faith Ringling Brothers Elephant Suit | Paul Alexander | January 8, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST

Bruno smelled Jack, gave a short yelp and, lifting one of his paws, offered it to him.
The Courier of the Ozarks | Byron A. Dunn
Somewhere in these woods he must be lying, resting those ponderous paws and licking his bloody flanks.
The Soldier of the Valley | Nelson Lloyd
With his head between his fore-paws and one eye closed, he watches the tiny tongue of flame licking up the last coal.
The Soldier of the Valley | Nelson Lloyd
She would put her paws on his shoulders, and rub his face, and purr in a most contented manner.
The Nursery, January 1873, Vol. XIII. | Various
The tiger hid his face between his paws; the wild cats curled up, hiding their faces.
Kari the Elephant | Dhan Gopal Mukerji

British Dictionary definitions for paw

paw

/ (pɔː) /

noun

any of the feet of a four-legged mammal, bearing claws or nails
informal a hand, esp one that is large, clumsy, etc

verb

to scrape or contaminate with the paws or feet
(tr) informal to touch or caress in a clumsy, rough, or overfamiliar manner; maul

Origin of paw

C13: via Old French from Germanic; related to Middle Dutch pōte, German Pfote

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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