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Distinguish from paddle and petal and the verb peddle.

Look up Pedal in
Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

The word pedal comes from the Latin (pes, Pedis) and relates to the foot.

A pedal is a lever activated by one's foot. Examples include:

• An automobile has usually three pedals. See automobile pedal.
• Bicycle pedal: on a bicycle, each of two platforms at the end of the crankarms, connected such that while the crank arms rotate, the pedals can stay parallel to the shoe soles; this human powered rotation provides the propulsion, usually through a bicycle chain that makes the back wheel turn. In the case of a back pedalling brake, they are also used for applying the brake in the back wheel, again through the chain.
• A pedalo is a small boat, usually used for recreational purposes, powered by pedals.
• Most pianos have two or three piano pedals
• Pipe and electronic organs have a pedalboard, which contains approximately one dozen to three dozen pedals that resemble the keyboards (or "manuals"); when one of these pedals is depressed, it causes a note (or group of notes) to sound.
• Effects pedal used commonly for electric guitars
• Tap pedal: this is a small electronic pedal, similar or identical to the ones used with synthesizers, but is connected to audio effects equipment, a music sequencer, or drum machine. The purpose is to tap the pedal in time with the music, which allows the sequencer or drum machine to stay "in-sync". When connected to audio effects, it can be used to "tap in" the length for a digital delay or flange, or to cause an effect loop to be bypassed.
• Pedal tone: a nonchord tone, usually the tonic or dominant held for an extended period of time.
• Pedal pumping is the sexual fetish of seeing women use pedals, usually in cars.

In Geometry:

• a pedal triangle is obtained by projecting a point onto the sides of a triangle.
• a pedal curve is a curve derived by construction from a given curve.
• a pedal (Педал) in Bulgarian refers to homosexual male.
• Pedal meme: an internet meme

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