—n. - thick piece of soft material used to protect, fill out hollows, hold or absorb liquid, etc.

- sheets of blank paper fastened together at one edge, for writing or drawing on.

- fleshy underpart of an animal's foot or of a human finger.

- guard for the leg and ankle in sports.

- flat surface for helicopter take-off or rocket-launching.

- slang lodgings, flat, etc.

- floating leaf of a water lily. —v. (-dd-) 1 provide with a pad or padding; stuff.

- (foll. By out) lengthen or fill out (a book etc.) With unnecessary material. [probably low german or dutch]

- —v. (-dd-) 1 walk with a soft dull steady step.

- travel, or tramp along (a road etc.), on foot. —n. Sound of soft steady steps. [low german pad *path]