View synonyms for

encyclopedia

[ en-sahy-kluh-pee-dee-uh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a book, set of books, optical disc, mobile device, or online informational resource containing articles on various topics, usually in alphabetical arrangement, covering all branches of knowledge or, less commonly, all aspects of one subject.
Encyclopedia, the French work edited by Diderot and D'Alembert, published in the 18th century, distinguished by its representation of the views of the Enlightenment.

encyclopedia

/ ɛ��ˌ��ɪ��əʊˈ�辱ː��ɪə /

noun

a book, often in many volumes, containing articles on various topics, often arranged in alphabetical order, dealing either with the whole range of human knowledge or with one particular subject
a medical encyclopedia

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Word History and Origins

Origin of encyclopedia¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from New Latin encyclopaedia, from Greek ��԰��Ǳ貹��í��, a misreading of enkýklios paideía “circular (i.e., well-rounded) education”; encyclical, pedo- ¹

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Word History and Origins

Origin of encyclopedia¹

C16: from New Latin encyclopaedia, erroneously for Greek enkuklios paideia general education, from enkuklios general (see encyclical ), + paideia education, from pais child

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Pally added, “an overly gracious host with an almost disturbing open door policy, a film encyclopedia, and most important to me a friend.”

From

You’re building an encyclopedia of facts for when you start to improvise.

From

Tim: It was like finding another book in the set of encyclopedias.

From

Others lead us to hollowed-out encyclopedias, home to ghostly index cards full of contemplative prompts that compel us to compose a life’s story in a few sentences.

From

Ms Zarin described the AI as a “walking encyclopedia” of her own thoughts and advice.

From

encyclical encyclopedic

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