Pedal

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, from left to right:
*operated by the left foot:
**clutch pedal (except in the case of automatic transmission)
*operated by the right foot:
**brake pedal, which is usually wide and elevated well above the car floor
**accelerator: controls air supply to the automobile's engine. It is usually narrow and close to the car floor allowing the driver's heel to rest on the car floor.
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.

Not to be confused with a paddle or petal.

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