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

In one video, the bear seems to struggle to get out of the tight space, using its paws to move its body out.

From Los Angeles Times

If your dog gets wet, make sure you dry them off with a towel as soon as you get home and check their paws for salt, grit, dirt or snow.

From BBC

The troll screams to the high heavens and paws at the wound.

From Literature

Alexander gave his brother a reassuring swipe of his paw—that is to say, hand.

From Literature

“Now, now, keep your paws off my birds, if you please!”

From Literature

Related Words

• fondle