Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “cycle” come from?

Cycle comes from English bi- and Latin -inus combined with Latin bis meaning twice, derived from Ancient Greek κύκλος, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European kʷel- meaning to turn or move in a circle.

cycle (English): An interval of space or time in which one set of...

Definitions

  1. An interval of space or time in which one set of...

Ancestry of “cycle”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Catalanciclecycle
2Latincyclusa circle; a cycle, recurring period; a branding...
3Ancient Greekκύκλοςcircle, ring; Any circular object, such as a...
4Proto-Indo-Europeankʷékʷloswheel; circle
5Proto-Indo-Europeankʷel-to turn

Words derived from “cycle”

  • recycling
  • cycling
  • motorcycle
  • recycle
  • cyclin
  • motorbike
  • cyclist
  • cyclase
  • recyclable
  • cyclotron
  • cyclohexane
  • cycloid
  • cyclodextrin
  • motorcyclist
  • epicycloid
  • cyclization
  • anthracycline
  • macrocycle
  • cycler
  • cycloidal
  • unicycle
  • cycloserine
  • recycler
  • cyclohexanone
Every word from Proto-Indo-European kʷel- →