Pe"dal (?), 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.

2. ()

Of or pertaining to a pedal; having pedals.

Pedal curvesurface 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.

 

© Webster 1913.


Pe"dal (?), n. [Cf. F. p'edale, 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.

2. Geom.

A pedal curve or surface.

 

© Webster 1913.