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Unit 8: Encyclopaedia

8.1 Meaning and Characteristics of Encyclopaedia Notes

An encyclopaedia is a type of reference work – a compendium holding a summary of information
from either all branches of knowledge or a particular branch of knowledge. Encyclopaedias are
divided into articles or entries, which are usually accessed alphabetically by article name.
Encyclopaedia entries are longer and more detailed than those in most dictionaries. Generally
speaking, unlike dictionary entries, which focus on linguistic information about words,
encyclopaedia articles focus on factual information to cover the thing or concept for which the
article name stands.
Encyclopaedias have existed for around 2,000 years; the oldest still in existence, Naturalis Historia,
was written in ca. AD 77 by Pliny the Elder. The modern encyclopaedia evolved out of dictionaries
around the 17th century. Historically, some encyclopaedias were contained in one volume, but
some, such as the Encyclopaedia Britannica or the world’s largest Encyclopedia universal ilustrada
europeo-americana, became huge multi-volume works. Some modern encyclopaedias, such as
Wikipedia, are electronic and are often freely available.

8.1.1 Definition and Scope

The word ‘encyclopaedia’ is derived from the Greek word ‘enkyklios paideia’ meaning ‘general
education’. It meant ‘circle of knowledge’ or ‘circle of learning’ or ‘a complete system of learning’.
The meaning of the term has undergone a considerable change during its long history. The term
encyclopaedia is now applied to any reference work of one or more volumes consisting of
articles pertaining to all branches or some special branch of human knowledge, usually arranged
in alphabetical order. At the end of every article, it gives an exhaustive bibliography or references.
It may also contain several illustrations, diagrams, photographs and sketches of notable persons,
places or objects to assist the user in better understanding of the subject. A detailed index with
cross-references helps tracing the spread over information in the articles easily and quickly.
The purpose of the modern encyclopaedia is to condense current and essential information in a
short and simpler form to make it accessible to the non-specialist. It can be general information
for the layman or subject information for specialists. Encyclopaedias are also called ‘cyclopedias’
when they are limited to a specific subject.
Twentieth Century has produced numerous encyclopaedias of all types and with many
innovations in approach, coverage, readership, etc. The Great Soviet Encyclopaedia 1926-47
appeared in sixty-five volumes. Many editions of the ‘Encyclopaedia Britannica’ and the
‘Encyclopaedia Americana’ have been published as they have won recognition in English speaking
world. Many encyclopaedias have been published for children.

Example: ‘The Book of Knowledge’, ‘World Book Encyclopaedia’, ‘Compton’s Pichared
Encyclopaedia’ and ‘Britannia junior Encyclopaedia’ are a few popular.

8.1.2 Characteristics

The modern encyclopaedia was developed from the dictionary in the 18th century. Historically,
both encyclopaedias and dictionaries have been researched and written by well-educated, well-
informed content experts, but they are significantly different in structure. A dictionary is a
linguistic work which primarily focuses on alphabetical listing of words and their definitions.
Synonymous words and those related by the subject matter are to be found scattered around the
dictionary, giving no obvious place for in-depth treatment. Thus, a dictionary typically provides
limited information, analysis or background for the word defined. While it may offer a definition,

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