encyclopaedical

encyclopaedical

A student consults an encyclopaedical volume in the library.

Definition

Adjective: 1. Relating to an encyclopedia: "encyclopaedical" describes something that is characteristic of or pertaining to an encyclopedia, a comprehensive reference work containing information on many subjects. 2. Comprehensive in scope: It can also mean covering a wide range of knowledge, often in a detailed or exhaustive manner, similar to the breadth of an encyclopedia.

Usage Examples
  • (The lecture was extremely comprehensive, like an encyclopedia.)
  • (Her memory is exceptionally broad and detailed, covering many facts.)
  • (The collection is vast and all-encompassing, similar to an encyclopedia.)
Advanced Usage
  • "encyclopaedical knowledge": a phrase used to describe someone who possesses an exceptionally wide and detailed understanding of many subjects.

    • His encyclopaedical knowledge of world geography impressed everyone at the trivia night. (His knowledge was vast and thorough, like an encyclopedia.)
  • "encyclopaedical scope": referring to the full range or extent of something, especially in terms of information coverage.

    • The documentary had an encyclopaedical scope, exploring everything from the history of the universe to microscopic life. (The documentary covered an extremely broad range of topics.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Encyclopaedia (noun, British spelling): a book or set of books giving information on many subjects, typically arranged alphabetically.
    • The encyclopaedia on the shelf contains thousands of entries. (A reference work.)
  • Encyclopedia (noun, American spelling): the same as encyclopaedia.
    • She consulted the encyclopedia for her research. (A reference work.)
  • Encyclopaedic (adjective): a more common variant of "encyclopaedical," meaning the same: comprehensive or relating to an encyclopedia.
    • He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of music. (He knows an immense amount about music.)
  • Encyclopedist (noun): a person who writes, compiles, or edits an encyclopedia.
    • The encyclopedist spent years organizing the entries. (A person who creates encyclopedias.)
Synonyms
  • Comprehensive: covering a wide range of details; thorough.
  • Exhaustive: including all possibilities; very thorough.
  • All-encompassing: including everything; universal.
  • Wide-ranging: covering many different subjects or areas.
Related Idioms
  • A mine of information: a person or thing that provides a vast amount of knowledge.

    • The old librarian was a mine of information, with an encyclopaedical mind. (She had an extremely broad and detailed knowledge base.)
  • Know everything about something: to have a very thorough and detailed understanding of a subject.

    • He knows everything about ancient Egypt; his knowledge is encyclopaedical. (His understanding is comprehensive.)