bicyclic

[ bahy-sahy-klik, -sik-lik ]

adjective

1. consisting of or having two cycles or circles.
2. Botany. in two whorls, as the stamens of a flower.
3. pertaining to or resembling a bicycle.

bicyclic

/ -ˈsɪklɪk; baɪˈsaɪklɪk /

adjective

1. of, forming, or formed by two circles, cycles, etc
2. (of stamens, petals, etc) arranged in two whorls
3. (of a chemical compound) having atoms arranged in two rings fused together with at least two atoms common to each ring

   naphthalene is bicyclic

bicyclic

/ bī-sī′klĭk,-sĭk′lĭk /

1. Relating to a compound having two closed rings. Naphthalene is a bicyclic compound.
2. Composed of or arranged in two distinct whorls, as the petals of a flower.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bicyclic¹

First recorded in 1875–80; bi- ¹ + cyclic