treadle
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.
to work a treadle.
Origin of treadle
1Other words from treadle
- tread·ler [tred-ler], /ˈtrɛd lər/, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use treadle in a sentence
A blast of air is driven into it by a fan connected to treadles.
The Kingdom of the Yellow Robe | Ernest YoungThe author was obliged to employ a boy to work the treadles, not being able to work them himself from the loss of his feet.
A Voyage Round the World, from 1806 to 1812 | Archibald CampbellTreadles were subsequently applied, but after a time the machine fell into disuse and was apparently forgotten.
Inventions in the Century | William Henry DoolittleWomen often own and use small hand-machines, but the treadles are always used by men only.
The Soul of a People | H. FieldingSometimes a boy sits up top and shifts things, sometimes they have six or eight foot treadles.
Letters from China and Japan | John Dewey
British Dictionary definitions for treadle
/ (ˈtrɛdəl) /
a rocking lever operated by the foot to drive a machine
(as modifier): a treadle sewing machine
to work (a machine) with a treadle
Origin of treadle
1Derived forms of treadle
- treadler, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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