from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Velocipede \Ve*loc"i*pede\, n. [L. velox, -ocis, swift + pes,
pedis, a foot. See {Velocity}, and {Foot}.]
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}.
[1913 Webster]