Jump to:

• cyclo
  cyclo

  noun

  (especially in Vietnam) cycle rickshaw.
• cyclo-
  cyclo-

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

  abbreviation

  cyclopedia.

cyclo

¹ American  

[see-kloh, sahy-] / ˈsi kloʊ, saɪ- /

noun

cyclos plural

1. (especially in Vietnam) cycle rickshaw.

---

cyclo- ² American  

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

   cyclohexane.

---

cyclo. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. cyclopedia.

2. cyclotron.

---

cyclo- British  

combining form

1. indicating a circle or ring

   cyclotron

2. denoting a cyclic compound

   cyclohexane

---

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”); see origin at cyclo-, push )

Origin of cyclo-²

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

Example Sentences

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

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

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

From Time Magazine Archive

I will never see Phnom Penh again, drive in our car, ride a cyclo with Ma to the markets, buy food from the carts.

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

Inside the cyclo Mother crosses her legs so I can fit beside her.

From "Inside Out and Back Again" by Thanhha Lai