pedal Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a sustained bass note
    pedal point.
  2. noun a lever that is operated with the foot
    foot lever; treadle; foot pedal.
  3. verb ride a bicycle
    wheel; bike; bicycle; cycle.
  4. verb operate the pedals on a keyboard instrument
  5. adjective of or relating to the feet
    • the word for a pedal extremity is `foot'

WordNet

Pe"dal adjective
Etymology
L. pedalis, fr. pes, pedis, foot. See Foot, and cf. Pew.
Definitions
  1. Of or pertaining to the foot, or to feet, literally or figuratively; specifically (Zoöl.), pertaining to the foot of a mollusk; as, the pedal ganglion.
  2. Of or pertaining to a pedal; having pedals.
Pe"dal noun
Etymology
Cf. F. pédale, It. pedale. See Pedal, a.
Definitions
  1. (Mech.) A lever or key acted on by the foot, as in the pianoforte to raise the dampers, or in the organ to open and close certain pipes; a treadle, as in a lathe or a bicycle.
  2. (Geom.) A pedal curve or surface.

Webster 1913