bicycle

bicycle

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Pronunciation

bicycle

• IPA: /ˈbaɪ.sɪ.kəl/

• Syllable Breakdown:

• bi-: /baɪ/ (like "buy")

• -cy-: /sɪ/ (like "si" in "sit")

• -cle: /kəl/ (like "cul" in "culprit")

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Word Form Variations

• Singular Noun: bicycle

• Plural Noun: bicycles

• Verb (transitive/intransitive): bicycle (present, past, future)

• Present Participle (verb/adjective): bicycling

• Past Participle (verb/adjective): bicycled

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Noun

bicycle

1. A two-wheeled vehicle propelled by pedals and steered with handlebars, commonly used for transport, exercise, and recreation.

• Synonyms: bike, cycle, pushbike, velocipede (archaic)

• Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; one might consider other forms of transport like "car" or "motorcycle" as contrasting, but not true antonyms.)

Verb

bicycle

1. To ride a bicycle.

• Example: "We decided to bicycle to the park instead of driving."

• Synonyms: cycle, pedal, ride (a bike)

• Antonyms: walk, drive, run (in the context of alternative modes of travel)

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Examples of Use

Books:

• "He spent his summers exploring the quiet country lanes on his bicycle, a sense of freedom accompanying every turn of the pedal." (Fictional novel, author's name omitted for generality)

• "The invention of the bicycle in the 19th century revolutionized personal transport and contributed significantly to women's liberation by offering greater mobility." (Non-fiction historical text, author's name omitted for generality)

Newspapers:

• "Nairobi's city council announced new initiatives to promote bicycle lanes and reduce traffic congestion in the central business district." (Daily Nation)

• "Local youth embark on a 100km charity bicycle ride this weekend to raise funds for underprivileged schools." (The Standard)

Online Publications:

• "Learning to ride a bicycle is a rite of passage for many children, fostering balance, coordination, and independence." (Psychology Today)

• "Our guide to choosing the best electric bicycle for urban commuting offers insights into battery life, motor power, and frame design." (TechCrunch)

Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• Film: "The protagonist's desperate escape through the bustling streets on a battered old bicycle provided one of the film's most thrilling sequences." (Film review, specific film omitted for generality)

• Television Series: "In the opening scene, Detective Miller is seen bicycling through the quiet suburban streets, observing his surroundings." (Dialogue from a crime drama series, specific series omitted)

• Music Lyrics: "Summer days and a rusted bicycle, chasing dreams with every spin." (Song lyrics, specific song/artist omitted)

• Video Games: "Players can unlock various vehicle options, including a high-performance racing bicycle, to navigate the open world." (Video game review, specific game omitted)

• Social Media: "Just completed my first 50km bicycle ride of the year! Feeling great! #cyclinglife #fitness" (Tweet by a public user)

General Public Discourse:

• "I'm thinking of getting a new bicycle for my daily commute to avoid the traffic." (Casual conversation between friends)

• "Did you see that amazing stunt where the guy jumped over five cars on his bicycle?" (Conversation among spectators at a public event)

• "The city's new bike-sharing program makes it much easier to rent a bicycle for a quick trip." (Comment from a local resident)

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10 Famous Quotes Using Bicycle

1. "Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." (Albert Einstein)

2. "Don't buy a reform. Buy a bicycle." (J. A. Hobson)

3. "I thought of that while riding my bicycle." (Albert Einstein, when asked how he came up with the theory of relativity)

4. "When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments." (Elizabeth West)

5. "Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race." (H.G. Wells)

6. "A bicycle ride around the world begins with a single pedal stroke." (Scott Stoll)

7. "Get a bicycle. You will not regret it, if you live." (Mark Twain)

8. "The bicycle is the most efficient machine ever created: Converting calories into forward motion with a minimum of fuss." (Daniel Coyle)

9. "The bicycle has done more for the emancipation of women than anything else in the world." (Susan B. Anthony)

10. "Ride as much or as little, as long or as short as you feel. But ride." (Eddy Merckx, though not directly using "bicycle," it's a famous quote from a legendary cyclist, implying the act of bicycling)

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Etymology

The word "bicycle" comes from combining two parts: "bi-" and "cycle."

• "bi-" is a prefix that means "two" (like in words such as "bilingual" or "binary").

• "cycle" comes from the Greek word kyklos, meaning "circle" or "wheel."

So, literally, "bicycle" means "two wheels."

The word "bicycle" first appeared in English print around 1868. Before this, similar two-wheeled machines had different names, like "velocipede" or "dandy horse." The "velocipede," for example, was an early version of a two-wheeled vehicle, often without pedals, where the rider pushed off the ground with their feet.

When pedals were added to these two-wheeled vehicles in the 1860s, particularly in France, the term "bicycle" started to be used to specifically describe these new, pedal-powered two-wheeled machines. It quickly caught on because it was a clear and simple way to describe a vehicle with two wheels, propelled by human power.

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Bicycle

1. On your bicycle! (An informal, somewhat dated British idiom meaning "go away!" or "get lost!")

2. To get back on the bicycle (To resume an activity, especially after a break or setback, similar to "getting back on the horse.")

3. To fall off the bicycle (To experience a setback or failure, especially when learning something new.)

4. Bicycle clips (A term for devices used to keep trousers from getting caught in a bicycle chain, sometimes used humorously to refer to something slightly old-fashioned or practical.)

5. Chain reaction on a bicycle (An original phrase referring to a series of connected events that are set in motion by a single action, like the chain transferring power on a bike.)

6. A spare bicycle spoke (An original phrase, implying something small and seemingly insignificant, but potentially crucial if needed.)

7. To spin one's wheels (on a bike) (An idiom, directly applicable to a bicycle, meaning to expend effort without making progress.)

8. To be in the saddle (like on a bicycle) (An idiom meaning to be in control or in a position of authority, drawing a parallel to the control a rider has.)

9. Two wheels good (A playful phrase, adapting from Orwell's Animal Farm "Four legs good, two legs bad," to promote bicycling.)

10. To pedal power (Using a synonym, "pedal," this phrase means to generate power or move forward using foot pedals, often specifically implying a bicycle.)

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of bicycle from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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