pedals

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.
• a pedal (Педал) in Bulgarian refers to homosexual male.

• Not to be confused with a paddle or petal.