Bicyclers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. People who travel by riding a bicycle, whether for transport, sport or recreation
2. Individuals who pedal bicycles as a means of getting around or as a leisure pursuit
3. Riders who propel themselves on two-wheeled pedal cycles for commuting, racing or pleasure

Etymology: The word is a plain formation: "bicycle" with the agent suffix "-er" added, so a bicycler is one who rides a bicycle. The plural "bicyclers" simply makes that agent count as many people. The more interesting material lies in the parts. The "-er" ending came into English through Middle English from Old French "-ier", which had descended from Latin "-arius", a suffix that turned a noun or adjective into a person connected with it, and which had passed into Old English as "-ere" long before the bicycle existed. The first half, "bi-", comes from Latin "bis", meaning "twice" or "two", and the second half, "cycle", comes through French "cycle" from Late Latin "cyclus", ultimately from Ancient Greek "kúklos", meaning "circle" or "wheel". A bicycle is therefore a two-wheeled machine named for its wheels. The compound was formed in English from these parts, so the Greek and Latin roots were combined by English speakers rather than by the ancient writers.

Synonyms: cyclists, bicyclists, riders