pedal1 ['p?d(?)l]
¦ noun
1. each of a pair of foot-operated levers for powering a bicycle or other vehicle propelled by leg power.
2. a foot-operated throttle, brake, or clutch control in a motor vehicle.
3. each of a set of two or three foot-operated levers on a piano, for sustaining or softening the tone.
a foot-operated lever on other musical instruments, such as a harp or organ.
a foot-operated device for producing a sound effect on an electric guitar.
¦ verb (pedals, pedalling, pedalled; US pedals, pedaling, pedaled)
1. move by working the pedals of a bicycle.
2. use the pedals of a piano, organ, etc.
Phrases
with the pedal to the metal N. Amer. informal at full speed.
Derivatives
pedaller (US pedaler) noun
Origin
C17: from Fr.
pedale, from Ital.
pedale, from L.
pedalis (see
pedal2).
Usage
People often confuse the words pedal and peddle. Pedal is a noun referring to a foot-operated lever, as on a bicycle, and a verb chiefly meaning 'move by working the pedals of a bicycle' (they pedalled along the road). Peddle, on the other hand, is a verb meaning 'sell goods or promote an idea' (he peddled printing materials around the country).
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pedal2 ['p?d(?)l, 'pi:-]
¦ adjective chiefly Medicine & Zoology relating to the foot or feet.
Origin
C17: from L. pedalis, from pes, ped- 'foot'.