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to puddle

to puddle

7.9
To press and mix wet mud or concrete to make it firm
  • verb
  • /ˈpʌdəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : apisonar
  • Air is bubbly and sheer, the horizontal swaths of the thinly painted canvas below visible through its outline, while the letters of Pool have darkened outer edges, as if formed of puddled liquid.

Examples

  • She wanted to anticipate just what he would say when she showed him the bale wrapped in plastic, puddling the linoleum of her kitchen floor, but she did not know him well enough to put those words in his mouth.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • The buildings at the far edge of the square were all colors but the proper ones; they were shaped like enormous saggy mushrooms, puddling on the soft cushions of streets that were not so much paved as upholstered.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • The workers puddled the wet concrete to ensure it was smooth and even.

  • To prepare the ground for planting, they puddled the soil to make it more suitable for the seeds.

  • Before pouring the mix, the contractor puddled the wet compound to eliminate any air bubbles.

Antonyms

15 2.8

Make soil less hard so roots can grow

11 2.4

To become dry or make something no longer wet

Phrasal Verbs

to puddle up
  • Informal
7.6

To gather closely in a small group for warmth or company

Compounds

3 1.0

A small pool of muddy water on the ground after rain

A small boat for shallow water or a person who jumps over puddles

puddle pirate
  • Baby Talk
9.4

A child who plays in puddles and pretends to find treasure

How Thorough

to compact
11 4.4
to tamp
14 7.0
to puddle
  • Specialized
7.9
to knead
14 3.5
to mix
416 1.0
to stir
152 1.0

Surface Forms

puddle infinitive
puddled past
puddled past participle
puddling present participle
puddles third person singular

Etymology

Puddle meaning to work a wet mix comes from handling a thick 'puddle' of mud or concrete until it is even and firm. That's why builders 'puddle' mud or concrete to get the right texture before they build.