Encyclopedia
/ɪnˌsaɪkləˈpiːdiə/noun
A reference work that collects knowledge on many subjects, usually arranged alphabetically.
Did you know?The word comes from Greek enkyklios paideia, a phrase for the broad, rounded education expected of a free person, not a magic book — but it became the perfect name for a book that tries to contain the world.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
GRK
enkýklios paideía
“general or rounded education; the full course of learning”
Late Greek / Roman era
GRK
enkýklopaideía
“a later fused form of the phrase, influenced by the idea of comprehensive learning”
16th Century
Latin
encyclopaedia
“a learned compendium or circle of knowledge”
16th-17th Century
French
encyclopédie
“a comprehensive reference work or system of knowledge”
18th Century
English
encyclopedia
“a book or set of books containing information on many subjects”