Definitions
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. An early form of velocipede, invented in 1817 by Baron Karl von Drais of Mannheim in Germany, which was propelled by the rider's striking his feet on the ground. See velocipede. Sometimes spelled draisene.
Wiktionary
Etymologies
- From the name of the Baron Karl Drais, who invented a predecessor to the bicycle. (Wiktionary)
Examples
“The kindred invention of the "draisine," or dandy-horse was patented for Baron Drais of Sauerbron.”
A History of the Nineteenth Century, Year by Year Volume Two (of Three)
“Napoleon II was "emperor" of France for only two weeks after his fathers 100 day restoration, and that as we all know was in the summer of 1815, three years before the first draisine or velocipede, which I am fairly certain were never used for any sort of organized racing events.”
“In the first-known draisine race in 1819, a German cyclist named Semmler covered the 10-kilometer 6.2 mile course in 31½ minutes - an average speed under 12 mph.”
“The French called it a draisine, the English a hobby horse.”
“• French draisine maker Ernest Michaux put pedals on the front wheel in 1861, then added brakes a few years later.”
“This particular type of draisine is propelled by two motorcycles, one in each direction, assembled to form a makeshift freight car.”
“[...] draisine running through it. this exhibition runs until 10 january 2010. i highly recommend it. polski blog, art [...]”
Robert Kusmirowski's Bunker @ The Barbican | the POLSKI blog
Lists
These user-created lists contain the word ‘draisine’.
-
via Weird and Wonderful Words
Catch-all for things culled from Weird and Wonderful Words, More Weird and Wonderful Words, and Totally Weird and Wonderful Words, by Erin McKean, et al.
aboulia, alexiteric, angletouch, dactylion, alveary, sparlire, glabella, philtrum, pallium, heart-spoon, hyperprosexia, paraprosexia and 438 more...
-
Gallimaufry
...words to be reassigned as time allows.
vade, viduity, surd, thropple, horary, sorites, ancile, roscid, spraints, birl, marmite, voxel and 68 more...
Tweets
Looking for tweets for draisine.
she The earliest kind of bicycle, named after its inventor, Baron von Drais of Sauerbrun. (He called it a swiftwalker; others called it a dandy-horse) Jul 9, 2008