treadle

[ tred-l ]

noun

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

verb (used without object)

, trea·dled, trea·dling.

1. to work a treadle.

treadle

/ ˈtrɛdəl /

noun

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

      a treadle sewing machine

verb

1. to work (a machine) with a treadle

Derived Forms

• ˈtreadler, noun

Other Words From

• tread·ler [tred, -ler], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of treadle¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of treadle¹

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

Example Sentences

Treadle water pumps in Africa and Asia allowed women farmers to irrigate small plots and increase their harvests and incomes.

From The Daily Beast

A little black girl sat on the floor, and with her hands worked the treadle of the machine.

From Project Gutenberg

Bent low over the machine, he seems absorbed in the work, his hands deftly manipulating the shuttle, his foot on the treadle.

From Project Gutenberg

The wheel propelled by the treadle of the sewing machine will make a good drive wheel.

From Project Gutenberg

You stood before this and turned a large wheel at the left to start it, after which you kept it going with one foot on a treadle.

From Project Gutenberg

All that is necessary is to leave an extension to the arm or heel of the treadle to catch over the jaw of the trap.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• crowbar
• pedal
• tool