pedal

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   of or relating to the feet

   the word for a pedal extremity is `foot'

2. 2
   noun

   A lever operated by one's foot that is used to control or power a machine or mechanism, such as a bicycle or piano.

   There are three pedals on manual cars, two on automatics.

3. 3
   noun

   The ranks of pipes played from the pedal-board of an organ.

   A small organ commonly has only one or two ranks on the pedal.

4. 4
   verb

   To operate a pedal attached to a wheel in a continuous circular motion.

   to pedal one's loom

5. 5
   verb

   To operate a bicycle.

   He was out of breath from pedalling up the steep hill.

6. 6
   noun

   a lever that is operated with the foot

7. 7
   noun

   a sustained bass note

8. 8
   verb

   operate the pedals on a keyboard instrument

Etymology

Borrowed from French pédale, Latin pedāl(is). By surface analysis, ped- + -al.