Cyclo

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A prefix meaning involving or forming a circle or cycle ; a short form used to refer to a specific style of small motorcycle
2. Used at the start of a word to indicate a circular or cyclic nature ; an informal term for a type of two-wheeled motor vehicle
3. Indicating something that has a round shape or repetitive sequence when attached to words ; a colloquial abbreviation representing a particular motorcycle class

Etymology: "Cyclo" is a combining form that English took from "cycle," with the "-o" ending that marks it as a shortened form used at the front of longer words. The original "cycle" comes from Greek "kyklos," meaning "circle" or "wheel," which is why the element carries the sense of something round or recurring. Words like "cyclone" and "cyclical" show that sense at work, as in the spinning storm or the repeating pattern. The colloquial sense of "cyclo" as a motorcycle class is a clipped version of "motorcycle," with the same "cycle" root and the same clipping habit. The motorcycle meaning is therefore the same root again, applied to the vehicle rather than to the shape or repetition.