autoped

English

Etymology

Originally a brand name, equivalent to auto- +‎ -ped.

Noun

autoped (plural autopeds)

1. (historical) A motorized kick scooter, used from the early 1910s through the early 1920s.
   • 1916, Illustrated World - Volume 26, page 353:

     There is no room for two on the autoped, that newest vehicle compromise between riding and walking.

   • 1917, N.A.R.D. Journal - Volume 24, page 894:

     A Baltimore drug firm, that innocently sent a delivery boy “scooting” on an autoped through Druid Hill Park on an errand, was surprised later […]

   • 1917, Bench and Bar - Volume 11, page 374:

     If a motor-cycle, why not bicycles, roller skates, autopeds, "scooters," stilts, and all other means of locomotion dear to the childish heart?

   • 1965, Horizon:

     Peter Hitchman is the proud owner of another unusual motor-cycle — a French autoped dating from pre-1914 days.

Usage notes

The autoped differs from the modern electric scooter in that it had an internal combustion engine rather than an electric motor.

Dutch

Etymology

Borrowed from French autopède.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɑu̯.toːˌpɛt/

• Audio

  (file)

• Hyphenation: au‧to‧ped

Noun

autoped m (plural autopeds, diminutive autopedje n)

1. motorised kick scooter, autoped
2. (Netherlands) kick scooter

   Synonym: step

Descendants

• → Indonesian: otopet (“kick scooter”)