encyclopedia
/en,saiklou'pi:djə/ Cách viết khác : (encyclopaedia) /en,saiklou'pi:djə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A comprehensive reference work, typically in multiple volumes or as a digital resource, containing articles on a wide range of subjects, often arranged alphabetically. It aims to cover the entire scope of human knowledge or a specific field of study.
Usage
- As a countable noun: Refers to a specific published set or a single volume of such a work.
- I bought a new encyclopedia for the library.
- She consulted several encyclopedias for her research paper.
- As a proper noun (part of a title): Often capitalized when part of the official title of a specific work.
- The Encyclopedia Britannica is a famous publication.
Examples
- General Knowledge:
- Before the internet, people used printed encyclopedias to look up information.
- The article in the encyclopedia provided a detailed history of the Roman Empire.
- Specialized Field:
- He is the editor of an encyclopedia of marine biology.
- This online encyclopedia focuses exclusively on philosophy.
Advanced Usage
- "A walking encyclopedia" (idiom): A person who seems to know a vast amount of information about many subjects.
- Ask John about historical dates; he's a walking encyclopedia.
- Conceptual Use: Refers to the idea of a complete compilation of knowledge.
- His mind was like an encyclopedia of jazz music.
Variants and Related Words
- Encyclopedic (adjective): Covering a wide range of knowledge; comprehensive.
- She has an encyclopedic knowledge of classical literature.
- Encyclopedist (noun): A person who writes, edits, or contributes to an encyclopedia.
- Diderot was a famous French encyclopedist.
Synonyms
- Compendium: A concise but comprehensive collection of information.
- Reference work: A publication, such as a dictionary or encyclopedia, used for finding information.
Related Phrases
- To consult an encyclopedia: To look up information in an encyclopedia.
- Students should learn how to consult an encyclopedia effectively.
Noun
- a reference work (often in several volumes) containing articles on various topics (often arranged in alphabetical order) dealing with the entire range of human knowledge or with some particular specialty