Encyclopaediac

/ˌɛnsaɪkləˈpiːdiːæk/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or characteristic of an encyclopedia; having the nature or scope of a comprehensive reference work.

Etymology

From encyclopedia (from Greek enkyklios 'circular, general' + paideia 'education') + -ac suffix meaning 'of or relating to.' The term emerged in the 18th century alongside the rise of comprehensive reference works.

Kelly Says

This rare adjective was most popular in the 1700s-1800s when encyclopedias represented humanity's ambitious attempt to capture all human knowledge in one place—a distinctly Enlightenment dream.

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