dead man's handle , pedal n a safety switch on a piece of machinery, such as a train, that allows operation only while depressed by the operator
back-pedal
vb , -pedals, -pedalling, -pedalled
(U.S.) , -pedals, -pedaling, -pedaled intr
1 to turn the pedals of a bicycle backwards
2 to retract or modify a previous opinion, principle, etc
3 (Boxing) to take backward steps
chorus pedal
n (Music) an electronic device that creates the effect of more than one sound from a single source by combining a short delay with slight deviations in pitch
pedal [1]
n
a any foot-operated lever or other device, esp. one of the two levers that drive the chain wheel of a bicycle, the foot brake, clutch control, or accelerator of a car, one of the levers on an organ controlling deep bass notes, or one of the levers on a piano used to create a muted effect or sustain tone
b (as modifier)
a pedal cycle, a pianist's pedal technique
vb , -als, -alling, -alled
(U.S.) , -als, -aling, -aled
2 to propel (a bicycle, boat, etc.) by operating the pedals
3 intr to operate the pedals of an organ, piano, etc., esp. in a certain way
4 to work (pedals of any kind)
(C17: from Latin pedalis; see pedal2)
pedal [2]
adj of or relating to the foot or feet
(C17: from Latin pedalis, from pes foot)
pedal point
n (Music) a sustained bass note, over which the other parts move bringing about changing harmonies, (Often shortened to)
pedal
pedal pushers
pl n calf-length trousers or jeans worn by women
pedal steel guitar
n a floor-mounted, multineck, lap steel guitar with each set of strings tuned to a different open chord and foot pedals to raise or lower the pitch
soft-pedal
vb , -als, -alling, -alled
(U.S.) , -als, -aling, -aled tr
1 to mute the tone of (a piano) by depressing the soft pedal
2 Informal to make (something, esp. something unpleasant) less obvious by deliberately failing to emphasize or allude to it
n
♦
soft pedal
3 a foot-operated lever on a piano, the left one of two, that either moves the whole action closer to the strings so that the hammers strike with less force or causes fewer of the strings to sound
Compare →
sustaining pedal
See →
piano 1
sostenuto pedal
n another word for →
sustaining pedal
sustaining pedal
n (Music) a foot-operated lever on a piano, usually the right one of two, that keeps the dampers raised from the strings when keys are released, allowing them to continue to vibrate
Compare →
soft pedal