Definition of Pedal

1. Noun. A sustained bass note.

Exact synonyms: Pedal Point
Generic synonyms: Musical Note, Note, Tone

2. Verb. Ride a bicycle. "They pedal in the countryside"
Exact synonyms: Bicycle, Bike, Cycle, Wheel
Specialized synonyms: Unicycle, Backpedal
Generic synonyms: Ride
Derivative terms: Bicycle, Bicycler, Bicyclist, Bike, Bike, Cycling, Cyclist, Pedaler, Pedaller, Wheel, Wheeler

3. Adjective. Of or relating to the feet. ; "The word for a pedal extremity is `foot'"
Partainyms: Vertebrate Foot

4. Noun. A lever that is operated with the foot.

5. Verb. Operate the pedals on a keyboard instrument.
Category relationships: Music
Generic synonyms: Control, Operate
Entails: Play, Spiel

Definition of Pedal

1. a. 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. n. 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.

Definition of Pedal

1. Noun. A lever operated by one's foot that is used to control a machine or mechanism, such as a bicycle or piano ¹

2. Noun. (medicine) a foot or footlike part. ¹

3. Verb. To operate a pedal attached to a wheel in a continuous circular motion. ¹

4. Verb. To operate a bicycle. ¹

5. Adjective. Of or relating to the foot. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Pedal

1. to operate by means of foot levers [v -ALED, -ALING, -ALS or -ALLED, -ALLING, -ALS]

Medical Definition of Pedal

1. 1. Of or pertaining to the foot, or to feet, literally or figuratively; specifically, pertaining to the foot of a mollusk; as, the pedal ganglion. 2. Of or pertaining to a pedal; having pedals. Pedal curve or surface, an organ which has pedals or a range of keys moved by the feet; that portion of a full organ which is played with the feet. Origin: L. Pedalis, fr. Pes, pedis, foot. See Foot, and cf. Pew. 1. 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. A pedal curve or surface. Origin: Cf. F. Pedale, It. Pedale. See Pedal. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Pedal

pedages
pedagog
pedagogic
pedagogical
pedagogically
pedagogics
pedagogies
pedagogism
pedagogisms
pedagogs
pedagogue
pedagogues
pedagoguette
pedagoguettes
pedagogy
pedal (current term)
pedal-stool
pedal extremity
pedal keyboard
pedal point
pedal pusher
pedal pushers
pedal steel guitar
pedal stool
pedal system
pedalavium
pedalboard
pedalboards
pedalboat
pedalboats

Literary usage of Pedal

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Dictionary of Musical Terms: Containing Upwards of 9,000 English, French by Theodore Baker (1895)
"A foot-lever ; as the swell-pedal of the organ, the loud and soft pedals of ... A stop-knob or lever controlled by the foot, as a combination-pedal in the ..."

2. Elson's Music Dictionary: Containing the Definition and Pronunciation of by Louis Charles Elson (1905)
"Pianos are sometimes built with a pedal-keyboard to assist organists in ... There are also mechanical pedals upon the organ, such as the swell pedal, ..."

3. University Musical Encyclopedia by Louis Charles Elson (1912)
"Organ pedale are of two kinds, those forming part of the pedal- clavier by which ... pedal Coupler. Accessory organ stop which permits the manual keys to be ..."

4. Music: Devoted to the Art, Science, Technic and Literature of Music (1897)
"The damper pedal may properly be called a loud pedal for three reasons, namely: Its use reinforces the overtones, the resultant tones, ..."

5. A Treatise on Counterpoint & Fugue by Luigi Cherubini, Joseph Bennett (1884)
"ON pedal. The pedal is a note prolonged and sustained during several bars. It may be placed either in the highest part, in one of the middle parts, ..."

6. A Dictionary of Science, Literature, & Art: Comprising the Definitions and by George William Cox (1866)
"^+**+i_1 aie possess considerable interest, and have accordingly been most investigated. The first positive central pedal is the well-known surface of ..."

7. A Treatise on the Analytic Geometry of Three Dimensions by George Salmon (1882)
"From the pedal may, in like manner, be derived a new surface, and from this another, &c., forming a series of second, third, &c., pedals. ..."

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