treadle

[ tred-l ]
/ ˈtrɛd l /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR treadle ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a lever or the like worked by continual action of the foot to impart motion to a machine.
a platform, as on a bus or trolleycar, for opening an exit door.

verb (used without object), trea·dled, trea·dling.

to work a treadle.

Origin of treadle

before 1000; Middle English tredel stairstep, Old English. See tread, -le

OTHER WORDS FROM treadle

tread·ler [tred-ler] /ˈtrɛd lər/, noun

Words nearby treadle

treacle, treacle mustard, tread, tread the boards, tread water, treadle, treadmill, treas., treason, treasonable, treasonous

Words related to treadle

tool, crowbar, pedal, lam, jimmy, bar, binder, jack, pry, peavey, peavy

Example sentences from the Web for treadle

British Dictionary definitions for treadle

treadle
/ (ˈtrɛdəl) /

noun

  1. a rocking lever operated by the foot to drive a machine
  2. (as modifier)a treadle sewing machine

verb

to work (a machine) with a treadle

Derived forms of treadle

treadler, noun

Word Origin for treadle

Old English tredel, from trǣde something firm, from tredan to tread