cyclo

¹ American  

[see-kloh, sahy-] / ˈsi kloʊ, saɪ- /

noun

plural

cyclos

1. (especially in Vietnam) cycle rickshaw.

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cyclo- ² American  

1. a combining form meaning “cycle,” used in the formation of compound words.

   cyclohexane.

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cyclo. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. cyclopedia.

2. cyclotron.

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cyclo- British  

combining form

1. indicating a circle or ring

   cyclotron

2. denoting a cyclic compound

   cyclohexane

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Etymology

Origin of cyclo¹

First recorded in 1960–65; from French cyclo(-pousse), equivalent to cyclo- , combining form representing cycle “motorized or pedaled bicycle or tricycle” + pousse , apparently short for pousse-pousse “rickshaw” (reduplication of pousse, noun derivative of pousser “to move, push, shift”); cyclo-, push )

Origin of cyclo-²

< Greek kyklo-, combining form of kýklos circle, ring; cognate with Sanskrit cakra, wheel

Example Sentences

People are hurrying along sidewalks, newspaper vendors are getting out plastic sheeting, cyclo drivers are making for shelter.

From Time Magazine Archive

Today their palaces are crumbling, and Hu� is a subdued and ceremonial city of 105,000 without a newspaper, scarcely a telephone, and little traffic beyond bicycles and canvas-topped cyclo taxis.

From Time Magazine Archive

A cyclo, one of Saigon's three-wheeled open taxis, suddenly materialized in the middle of the street.

From Time Magazine Archive

My favorite way to get around with Ma is the cyclo because the driver can maneuver it in the heaviest traffic.

From "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers" by Loung Ung

A cyclo resembles a big wheelchair attached to the front of a bicycle.

From "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers" by Loung Ung