paddle vs vacuum tube

paddle

noun
  • A handheld electrode used for defibrillation or cardioversion. 

  • The use of a paddle to propel a boat; a session of paddling. 

  • A broad, flat device used in striking the ball, analogous to a racket in tennis. 

  • A blade of a waterwheel. 

  • A flap of attached skin that has been cut away from a wound. 

  • A broad, flat spanking implement. 

  • A double-bladed version with blades at each end of the shaft is used for kayaking. 

  • A person's hand. 

  • In a sluice, a panel that controls the flow of water. 

  • A paddlewheel. 

  • A flat limb of an aquatic animal, adapted for swimming. 

  • A slat of a paddleboat's wheel. 

  • A meandering walk or dabble through shallow water, especially at the seaside. 

  • A flat board with a number of holes or indentations, used to carry small alcoholic drinks such as shots. 

  • A single-bladed version is typically used on canoes and some other small boats. 

  • A kitchen utensil shaped like a paddle and used for mixing, beating etc. 

verb
  • To row a boat with less than one's full capacity. 

  • To toddle. 

  • To spank with a paddle. 

  • To propel something through water with a paddle, oar, hands, etc. 

  • To pat or stroke amorously or gently. 

  • To tread upon; to trample. 

  • To walk or dabble playfully in shallow water, especially at the seaside. 

  • To dog paddle in water. 

vacuum tube

noun
  • A type of electron tube that controls electron current through vacuum between electrodes within a sealed container, usually of glass or metal and often designed to be easily installed in and removed from the equipment in which it is used. 

How often have the words paddle and vacuum tube occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )