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treadle

[ tred-l ]
/ ˈtrɛd l /
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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.
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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

treachery, treacle, treacle mustard, treacly, tread, treadle, treadmill, tread the boards, tread water, treas., treason
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to treadle

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

How to use treadle in a sentence

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
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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