pedali

Pedali is the plural form in Italian of pedale, meaning pedal. The word denotes any lever that is actuated by the foot to transmit force or control a mechanism. In everyday language and technical usage, pedali appear on bicycles, motorcycles, automobiles, musical instruments, and various machines.

On bicycles and similar vehicles, pedali attach to crank arms and rotate as the rider pushes with the foot. They may be platform pedals, clipless, or with toe clips, and are mounted on bearings inside the pedal body. Common materials include aluminum alloys, steel, and composites; designs emphasize grip, durability, and smooth rotation.

In motorized vehicles, pedali include the accelerator, brake, and, in manual transmissions, the clutch. Acceleration and braking pedals may be floor-mounted or suspended from the firewall. Today many systems are electronic or hydraulic, with safety features such as pedal travel, response, and fail-safes to prevent unintended acceleration or braking.

Outside vehicles, pedali also appear in other control devices operated by the foot, such as keyboard pedals on pianos and foot-operated switches in sewing machines and industrial machinery. In piano music, the Italian term pedali refers to the pedals of the instrument; their use sustains, damps, or softens notes as indicated by musical notation.

The word derives from Latin pes, ped- meaning foot; pedale, from French or Italian, with the adjective pedalis indicating "of the foot."