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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Pedal \Pe"dal\ (p[e^]d"al), n. [Cf. F. p['e]dale, It. pedale.
See {Pedal}, a.]
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.
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2. (Geom.) A pedal curve or surface.
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Pedal \Pe"dal\ (p[=e]"dal in def 1; 277), a. [L. pedalis, fr.
pes, pedis, foot. See {Foot}, and cf. {Pew}.]
1. Of or pertaining to the foot, or to feet, literally or
figuratively; specifically (Zool.), pertaining to the foot
of a mollusk; as, the pedal ganglion.
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2. (p[e^]d"al) Of or pertaining to a pedal; having pedals.
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{Pedal curve} or {Pedal surface} (Geom.), the curve or
surface which is the locus of the feet of perpendiculars
let fall from a fixed point upon the straight lines
tangent to a given curve, or upon the planes tangent to a
given surface.

{Pedal note} (Mus.), the note which is held or sustained
through an organ point. See {Organ point}, under {Organ}.


{Pedal organ} (Mus.), 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.
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