paddy
UK: ˈpædi | US: ˈpædi
n. a flooded field where rice is grown
n. (informal) a fit of temper
The word "paddy" originates from the Malay word padi, meaning "rice in the straw." It entered English via colonial trade routes in the 17th century, specifically referring to wet rice fields in Southeast Asia. The suffix "-dy" may reflect phonetic adaptation in English, though it doesn’t carry independent meaning. The informal sense of "a fit of temper" (19th century) is unrelated, possibly derived from the name "Paddy" (Irish Patrick), stereotypically associated with irascibility.
Farmers in Vietnam often work long hours in the paddy fields.
The monsoon rains flooded the paddy, ensuring a good rice harvest.
(Informal) He threw a paddy when his team lost the match.
Traditional paddy farming requires careful water management.
The lush green paddies stretched across the valley.