treadle

/'tredl/

Thân thiện

The potter uses a treadle to spin the clay on the wheel.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A foot-operated lever or pedal: A treadle is a device, typically a flat lever, that is designed to be operated by the foot to drive or control a machine.

2. Verb:

   • To operate a machine using a treadle: To work a machine by pressing a treadle with the foot.
   • To tread over something: To step or walk on something, often with a specific purpose, such as to mix or separate materials.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The old sewing machine is powered by a treadle.
  • He pressed the treadle to start the potter's wheel.

• Verb (to operate):

  • She learned to treadle the loom to weave the fabric.
  • To operate this machine, you must treadle steadily.

• Verb (to tread over):

  • Workers treadle over the clay to remove impurities.

Advanced Usage

• "To treadle a machine": To power or control a specific piece of equipment using foot action.
  • Before electricity, tailors would treadle their sewing machines for hours.

Variants and Related Words

• Tread (verb): To step or walk on or over something. This is the root verb from which 'treadle' is derived.
  • Do not tread on the grass.

Synonyms

• Pedal (noun/verb): A lever operated by the foot; to operate such a lever.
• Foot lever (noun): A lever designed to be used with the foot.

Related Phrases

• Treadle loom: A loom operated by foot pedals.
• Treadle pump: A water pump operated by stepping on a lever.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a lever that is operated with the foot

Verb

1. operate (machinery) by a treadle
2. tread over
   • the brick maker treadles over clay to pick out the stones

Từ đồng nghĩa

• pedal
• foot pedal
• foot lever