padrone

[Ital. a master, a patron.] A man, usually an Italian, who owns street-organs, Naut.: The shaft or axis on which the paddle and lets them out for hire. wheels revolve. paddle-wheel, s. Naut .: A wheel used in propelling steamships. They are two in number, one on each side of the ship, and are driven by steam. They are provided with floats or boards on the circumference.