Cycle Means a Circle, and It Shows in Every Sense
A cycle is a repeating sequence. The Greek word behind it means circle, which explains bicycles, cyclones and encyclopedias.
A cycle is a series of events that repeats, or a bicycle. Greek *kyklos*, circle, is visible in every relative: a *bicycle* has two wheels, a *cyclone* spins, a *cyclops* had one round eye, and an *encyclopedia* was originally a complete circle of learning — *enkyklios paideia*, the education that comes round full circle. The unit of frequency, once called cycles per second, is now the hertz.
- A repeating sequence. *The water cycle.*
- A bicycle. *A cycle lane.*
- To ride a bicycle. *She cycles to work.*
- Cyclical — recurring. *Cyclical unemployment.*
- Greek — *kyklos*, a circle. *The source word.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | cycle | A full cycle. |
| Plural | cycles | Two cycles. |
| Verb | cycle | Cycle home. |
| Adjective | cyclical | Cyclical patterns. |
| Agent | cyclist | A cyclist. |
- The washing machine finished its cycle.Repetition.
- He cycles ten miles a day.British verb.
- Kyklos means circle.Etymology.
The kyklos family
- Bicycle and tricycle — two and three wheels
- Cyclone — a rotating storm system
- Cyclops — the one-round-eyed giant
- Encyclopedia — the full circle of learning
- Recycle — to send round the loop again
Late Latin *cyclus*, from Greek *kyklos*, a circle, wheel or ring. The bicycle sense is a nineteenth-century shortening.
Does encyclopedia really mean full circle of learning?
Yes. It comes from Greek enkyklios paideia, the general or all-round education a person should have.
Is cycle a verb in American English?
Less commonly. Americans usually say ride a bike; cycle as a verb is chiefly British.