velocipede Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun any of several early bicycles with pedals on the front wheel
  2. noun a vehicle with three wheels that is moved by foot pedals
    trike; tricycle.

WordNet

Ve*loc"i*pede noun
Etymology
L. velox, -ocis, swift + pes, pedis, a foot. See Velocity, and Foot.
Definitions
  1. A light road carriage propelled by the feet of the rider. Originally it was propelled by striking the tips of the toes on the roadway, but commonly now by the action of the feet on a pedal or pedals connected with the axle of one or more of the wheels, and causing their revolution. They are made in many forms, with two, three, or four wheels. See Bicycle, and Tricycle.

Webster 1913