Look up: encyclopaedia

1. 
   Encyclopaedia
   The word Encyclopaedia (Encyclopedia) was first defined in Sir Thomas Elyot's Latin Dictionary (1538) as 'that lernynge whiche comprehendeth all lyberall science and studies.' It was first used as the title of a book by Johann Heinrich Alsted in 1608, by which time it had acquired its modern meaning of a book covering every branch of human knowledge. The term is also, however, applied to a work confined to some particular branch of knowledge. The distinction between an encyclopaedia and a dictio...
   Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/nol.php
   
   
2. 
   Encyclopaedia
   A book, set of books, or disk, containing informational articles on subjects in every field of knowledge, or limited to a special field or subject; usually arranged in alphabetical order
   Found on http://www.ifla.org/VII/s30/pub/mg1.htm#
   
   
3. 
   encyclopaedia
   an alphabetical or systematically arranged listing of terms and names containing as much information as possible about the covered subject field Category: Language and literature
   Found on http://www.mijnwoordenboek.nl/definition
   
   
4. 
   encyclopaedia
   Works containing information articles on subjects in every field of knowledge, usually arranged in alphabetical order, or a similar work limited to a special field or subject. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...
   Found on http://www.mondofacto.com/facts/dictiona
   
   
5. 
   Encyclopaedia
   • (n.) The circle of arts and sciences; a comprehensive summary of knowledge, or of a branch of knowledge; esp., a work in which the various branches of science or art are discussed separately, and usually in alphabetical order; a cyclopedia.
   Found on http://thinkexist.com/dictionary/meaning
   
   
6. 
   encyclopaedia
   reference work that contains information on all branches of knowledge or that treats a particular branch of knowledge in a comprehensive manner.[10 related articles]
   Found on http://www.britannica.com/eb/a-z/e/28
   
   
7. 
   encyclopaedia
   encyclopedia, encyclopaedia 1. The circle of learning; a general course of instruction. 2. A literary work containing extensive information on all branches of knowledge, usually arranged in alphabetical order. 3. An elaborate and exhaustive repertory of information on all the branches of some particular art or department of knowledge; especially, one arranged in alphabeti...
   Found on http://www.wordinfo.info/words/index/inf