encyclopaedia
UK[ɪnˌsaɪ.kləˈpiː.di.ə]US[ɪnˌsaɪ.kləˈpiː.di.ə]
n
a book or set of books giving information on many subjects or on many aspects of one subject, typically arranged alphabetically.
Morpheme Breakdown
en
cyclopaedia
en
in
cyclopaedia
circle of learning
Etymology
the word 'encyclopaedia' originates from a mistaken greek phrase 'enkyklios paideia', meaning 'general education' or a 'circle of learning', which was intended to encompass the complete system of knowledge. the greek 'kyklos' (circle) metaphorically represented the comprehensive, cyclical nature of a well-rounded education. the erroneous medieval latin compound 'encyclopaedia' fused these elements, and by the 16th century, it came to denote a reference work covering the entire circle of human knowledge. this etymological journey from a concept of holistic education to a specific type of reference book illustrates the evolution of an abstract ideal into a concrete literary form.
Analysis
Structure: en (in) + cyclopaedia (circle of learning)
en: from greek 'en', meaning 'in'. a prefix indicating inclusion or being within.
cyclopaedia: from greek 'kyklos' (circle) + 'paideia' (education, rearing of a child). the combined form represents a comprehensive circle of learning or instruction.
Examples
the library's reference section contains a complete set of the encyclopaedia britannica.
he spent the afternoon researching medieval history in an encyclopaedia.
the concept of a digital encyclopaedia, like wikipedia, has revolutionized access to information.