sb. [a. F. tricycle, used in sense 1 in 1827; in sense 2 in Dict. Acad., 1878; f. TRI- + Gr. κύκλος circle, wheel: cf. BICYCLE.]
† 1. A three-wheeled coach or omnibus drawn by two horses, formerly used in Paris. Obs.
1828. Chron., in Ann. Reg., 185/1. Tricycles.—Christmas-day was rendered memorable to the Parisians by the starting of this new species of carriage…. The tricycle is a kind of coach, mounted on three wheels; it is drawn by two horses only.
2. A velocipede with three wheels (now usually one in front and one on each side behind), driven by treadles actuated by the feet, or (motor tricycle) by a small motor attached.
1868. London Society, Nov., 411. The tricycle, or three-wheeled Velocipede, is easier to guide and safer to use than the bicycle.
1881. Philad. Record, No. 3459. 2. M. Trouve riding at ease through the streets of Paris upon a tricycle driven by stored-up electricity.
1896. Motor tricycle [see MOTOR A. 5].
1902. Encycl. Brit., XXVII. 325. As far back as 1883 or 1884 the whole of Europe had been covered by women on tricycles.
attrib. and Comb. 1885. Graphic, 21 Feb., 186/1. An Englishman … tricycle-riding the country.
1896. Daily News, 28 May, 3/2. Infantry bring up a tricycle Maxim gun.
Hence Tricycle v., intr. to ride a tricycle (whence Tricycling vbl. sb. and ppl. a.); Tricycler, Tricyclist, one who rides a tricycle; Tricycular a. [irreg. after vehicular; cf. BICYCULAR], pertaining to tricycles.
1883. Sat. Rev., 28 July, 107/2. The modern heroine … rides, boats, *tricycles, and plays lawn-tennis.
1902. 19th Cent., Nov., 764. I was tricycling homeward one evening.
1881. Daily News, 18 July, 5/5. Some member of Parliament should take the matter up, so as to relieve the steam *tricyclers from the restriction.
1888. J. & E. R. Pennell, Sent. Journ., 180. A meeting of tricyclers was not an every day occurrence in their town.
1882. Standard, 15 May, 2/8. *Tricycling divisions of bicycle clubs.
1882. Richardson, in Gd. Words, 177. Mr. Browning called my attention to *tricycling as a healthful recreation.
1878. Prospectus Bicycle Touring Club. Any amateur Bicyclist or *Tricyclist—lady or gentleman—is eligible for election to the Bicycle Touring Club.
1887. Times, 9 April, 5/5. The tricyclists were formed into the main column.
1870. Belgravia, Feb., 444. The latest contrivance in that way comes more under the *tricycular head.
