First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1treadle
noun trea·dle \ˈtre-dəl\
: a small, flat bar that you press with your foot to operate a machine (such as a pump or sewing machine)
Full Definition of TREADLE
: a swiveling or lever device pressed by the foot to drive a machine
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Origin of TREADLE
Middle English tredel step of a stair, from Old English, from tredan
2treadle
verb
trea·dledtrea·dling \ˈtred-liŋ, ˈtre-dəl-iŋ\
Definition of TREADLE
intransitive verb
: to operate a treadle
transitive verb
: to operate (as a machine) by a treadle
First Known Use of TREADLE
1891
TREADLE Defined for Kids
treadle
noun trea·dle \ˈtre-dəl\
Definition of TREADLE for Kids
: a device worked by the foot to drive a machine
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