backpedal

English

/ˈbækˌpɛdəɫ/

verb
Definitions
  • (intransitive) To pedal backwards on a bicycle.
  • (intransitive) To step backwards.
  • (intransitive) To distance oneself from an earlier claim or statement; back off from an idea.

Etymology

Compound from English back (mild drink, back, chaser) + English pedal (foot, of the foot).

Origin

English

pedal

Gloss

foot, of the foot

Concept
Semantic Field

The body

Ontological Category

Other

Emoji
🐾

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms