velocipede

[ vuh-los-uh-peed ]

noun

1. a vehicle, usually having two or three wheels, that is propelled by the rider.
2. an early kind of bicycle or tricycle.
3. a light, three-wheeled, pedal-driven vehicle for railway inspection, used for carrying one person on a railroad track.

velocipede

/ vɪˈlɒsɪˌpiːd /

noun

1. an early form of bicycle propelled by pushing along the ground with the feet
2. any early form of bicycle or tricycle

Derived Forms

• veˈlociˌpedist, noun

Other Words From

• ve·loci·pedist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of velocipede¹

1810–20; < French vélocipède bicycle, equivalent to véloci- (< Latin, stem of vēlōx quick) + -pède -ped

Word History and Origins

Origin of velocipede¹

C19: from French vélocipède, from Latin vēlōx swift + pēs foot

Example Sentences

This crude affair consisted of a small velocipede upon which was mounted a crude coal-burning steam engine.

From Project Gutenberg

When he recovered, he found himself lying where Velocipede had thrown him, and the brute quietly grazing by his side.

From Project Gutenberg

Five hundred foreign stamps, twenty postmarks, and a boat eighteen inches long, for a three-wheel velocipede.

From Project Gutenberg

God willing, Ill never again ride anything more dangerous than a velocipede.

From Project Gutenberg

You may know I was surprised to look up, and see it coming without hands, just rolling along like a velocipede.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bike