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encyclopedia

en·cy·clo·pe·di·a [ in sklə pdee ə, en sklə pdee ə ] (plural en·cy·clo·pe·di·as) or en·cy·clo·pae·di·a [ in sklə pdee ə, en sklə pdee ə ] (plural en·cy·clo·pae·di·as)


noun 
Definition:
 
comprehensive reference work: a reference work offering comprehensive information on all or specialized areas of knowledge

[Mid-16th century. < Greek egkuklopaideia "general education" < egkuklios (see encyclical) + paideia "education" < pais "boy, child"]
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