ped|al

ped|al «PEHD uhl; PEE duhl for adj. 1 », noun, verb, -aled, -al|ing or (especially British) -alled, -al|ling, adjective.

–n.

1. a lever worked by the foot; the part on which the foot is placed to move any kind of machinery. Organs and pianos have pedals for changing the tone. The two pedals of a bicycle, pushed down one after the other, make it go. The brake pedal in an automobile is pushed toward the floor to apply the brakes. »

As you ride [a bicycle] you push down on the pedals…that act like spokes of the wheel (Beauchamp, Mayfield, and West). Bach had a harpsichord with two rows of keys and pedals (A. J. Hipkins).

and organ. (Cf. ↑organ)

2. = pedal point. (Cf. ↑pedal point)

–v.t.

to work or use the pedals of; move by pedals: »

He pedaled his bicycle slowly up the hill.

–v.i.

to work pedals.

╂[< Middle French pedale foot, trick with the feet < Italian, a footstool < Latin pedāle (thing) of the foot, neuter of pedālis; see the adjective]

–adj.

1. of or having to do with a pedal or pedals; consisting of pedals.

2. of or having to do with the foot or feet: »

... reverse himself laterally some 180 degrees so that his pedal extremities are towards the offending overflow (New Scientist).

╂[< Latin pedālis of the foot (in size, shape) < pēs, pedis foot]