pedal
UK[ˈpedl]US[ˈpedl]
n
a flat bar on a machine such as a bicycle, car, or piano that you push down with your foot to operate it
v
to move or operate a machine by using its pedals
Morpheme Breakdown
ped
al
ped
foot
al
relating to
Etymology
The word 'pedal' originates from the Latin 'pedalis', meaning 'of the foot', which itself derives from 'pes' (genitive 'pedis'), the Latin word for 'foot'. This root is traceable to the Proto-Indo-European ped-, meaning 'foot', a source shared by many words related to feet and walking across Indo-European languages. The term entered English in the early 17th century, initially as an adjective describing things pertaining to the foot, before its noun and verb senses developed in reference to levers operated by the foot. The logic is direct: a 'pedal' is a device meant to be used by or relates to the foot.
Analysis
Structure: ped (foot) + al (relating to)
'ped' is a Latin root meaning 'foot'. '-al' is a Latin-derived suffix forming adjectives meaning 'of, relating to, or characterized by'.
Examples
She pressed down hard on the bicycle pedal to climb the hill.
The brake pedal in the car felt spongy and unresponsive.
To sustain the note, you must keep the right piano pedal depressed.