n. A comprehensive reference work containing articles on a wide range of subjects or on numerous aspects of a particular field, usually arranged alphabetically. [Medieval Latin encyclopaedia, general education course, from alteration of Greek enkuklios paideia, general education : enkuklios, circular, general; see ENCYCLICAL + paideia, education (from pais, paid-, child; see pau-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).] |
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