cyclopaedia

cyclopaedia
    n 1: a reference work (often in several volumes) containing
         articles on various topics (often arranged in alphabetical
         order) dealing with the entire range of human knowledge or
         with some particular specialty [syn: {encyclopedia},
         {cyclopedia}, {encyclopaedia}, {cyclopaedia}]
    

Cyclopedia \Cy`clo*pe"di*a\ Cyclopaedia
\Cy`clo*p[ae]"di*a\(s?`kl?-p?"d?-?), n. [NL., from Gr. ky`klos
   circle + paidei`a the bringing up of a child, education,
   erudition, fr. paidey`ein to bring up a child. See {Cycle},
   and cf. {Encyclopedia}, {Pedagogue}.]
   1. The circle or compass of the arts and sciences
      (originally, of the seven so-called liberal arts and
      sciences); circle of human knowledge.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Hence: A work containing, in alphabetical order,
      information in all departments of knowledge, or on a
      particular department or branch; as, a cyclopedia of the
      physical sciences, or of mechanics; an encyclopedia. See
      {Encyclopedia}.
      [PJC]