motorcycle English · revision 10264

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=1894}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈməʊʔəˌsaɪkl̩/, /ˈməʊtəˌsaɪkəl/ ''(UK)''; /ˈmoʊtɚˌsaɪkəl/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a hybrid of [[motor]] and -cycle, from [[bicycle]],^(Etymonline) from the earlier motor bicycle.^(MWU 2024) Motocycle was also used in the late 19th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A large bicycle propelled by a small motor: 1894 in Merriam-Webster, 1895 in Etymonline.^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In 1895 a writer in ''The Age of Steel'' called the word a horrid name.^(Etymonline) ''Motorcyclist'' followed.^(Etymonline) The verb, to ride a motorcycle, is also recorded.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1894 – motorcycle.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1895 – a horrid name.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A two-wheeled motor vehicle like a heavy [[bicycle]], sometimes with a sidecar; a [[motorbike]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To ride on a motorcycle.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[motorcyclist]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[motor]]

+ * [[bicycle]]

+ * [[motorbike]]

+ * [[cycle]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}