Encyclopedias

/ɛnˌsaɪkləˈpiːdiəz/ noun

Definition

Comprehensive reference books or sets containing articles on a wide range of subjects, arranged alphabetically or by topic.

Etymology

From Greek 'en- kyklos paideia' literally meaning 'general education' or 'education in a circle.' Popularized in the 18th century as a way to organize all human knowledge.

Kelly Says

Before Wikipedia, families would save for years to buy encyclopedia sets like Britannica as status symbols—owning knowledge was literally owning a physical collection of books!

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