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Definition of pedals - 2 dictionary results

ped⋅al

[ped-l or, for 6–8, peed-l] noun, verb, -aled, -al⋅ing or (especially British) -alled, -al⋅ling, adjective
–noun
1. a foot-operated lever used to control certain mechanisms, as automobiles, or to play or modify the sounds of certain musical instruments, as pianos, organs, or harps.
2. a leverlike part worked by the foot to supply power in various mechanisms, as the bicycle.
3. Music.
a. a foot-operated keyboard, as on an organ or harpsichord.
b. any of the keys of such a keyboard.
c. pedal point.
–verb (used without object)
4. to work or use the pedals, as in playing an organ or propelling a bicycle.
–verb (used with object)
5. to work the pedals of (an organ, bicycle, etc.).
–adjective
6. of or pertaining to a foot or the feet.
7. of or pertaining to a pedal or pedals.
8. using pedals: a pedal mechanism.

Origin:
1605–15; (< F pédale) < L pedālis of the feet. See ped- 2 , -al 1
ped·al   (pěd'l)   
n.  
    1. A foot-operated lever used for actuating or controlling a mechanism, as in a loom, sewing machine, piano, or organ.
    2. A similar foot-operated part attached to a crank and used for powering various devices, such as a bicycle.
    3. A pedal point.
    4. A pedal keyboard.
  1. Music
    1. A pedal point.
    2. A pedal keyboard.
adj.  
  1. Of or relating to a pedal.
  2. also (pēd'l) Of or relating to a foot or footlike part: the pedal extremities.
v.   ped·aled or ped·alled, ped·al·ing or ped·al·ling, ped·als

v.   intr.
  1. To use or operate a pedal or pedals.
  2. To ride a bicycle.
v.   tr.
To operate the pedals of.

[French pédale, from Italian pedale, from Latin pedālis, one foot long, from pēs, ped-, foot; see ped- in Indo-European roots.]
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