Encyclopedia

An (alternatively encyclopaedia/encyclopædia) is a written compendium of knowledge. The term comes from the Greek {{polytonic|????????? ???????}} (engkuklios paideia), literally "a rounded education". Many encyclopedias are titled Cyclopaedia and the terms are interchangeable.

What an Encyclopedia is and what it is not

Encyclopedias can be general, containing articles on topics in many different fields (the English-language Encyclopædia Britannica and German Brockhaus are well-known examples), or they can specialize in a particular field (such as an encyclopedia of medicine, philosophy, or law). There are also encyclopedias that cover a wide variety of topics from a particular cultural, ethnic, or national perspective, such as the Great Soviet Encyclopedia or Encyclopedia Judaica.

Related Topics:
English-language - Encyclopædia Britannica - German - Brockhaus - Medicine - Philosophy - Law - Great Soviet Encyclopedia - Encyclopedia Judaica

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Many dictionaries are encyclopedic in their range, especially those concerned with a particular field (such as the Dictionary of National Biography, the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, and Black's Law Dictionary). Encyclopedic works have been produced throughout much of human history, but the term encyclopedia was not used to refer to such works until the 16th century. The Macquarie Dictionary: Australia's National Dictionary, became an Encyclopedic Dictionary after its first edition in recognition of the use of proper nouns, signified by their initial capital letter, in common communication, and the words derived from such proper nouns.

Related Topics:
Dictionaries - Dictionary of National Biography - Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships - Black's Law Dictionary - 16th century

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There are two main methods of organizing encyclopedias: the alphabetical method (consisting of a number of separate articles, organised in alphabetical order), or organization by hierarchical categories. The former is the most common by far, especially for general works.

Related Topics:
Alphabetical - Hierarchical

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