velocipede

American  

[vuh-los-uh-peed] / vəˈlɒs əˌpid /

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.

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velocipede British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• velocipedist noun

Etymology

Origin of velocipede

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

Example Sentences

The Unblinking Guide shrugged and put the velocipede into motion.

From Nature

James Starley stars in the exhibit as the inventor who took a primitive French contraption — the velocipede — and refined it to create the bicycle.

From New York Times

Initially, his invention, also known as a velocipede and dandy horse, was too expensive for common folk and was derided as a toy for the wealthy.

From Washington Post

There’s also a number of patents featured as gifs on the library that were animated, including one of a velocipede.

From The Guardian

Animating this one of a velocipede, with so many moving parts, was a real labor of love.

From New York Times

Related Words

• bike