cyclopaedia means the circle or compass of the arts and sciences (originally, of the seven so-called liberal arts and sciences); circle of human knowledge. Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 80 out of 100.
cyclopaedia is pronounced /saɪk.ləʊˈpiːd.i.ə/.
Why “cyclopaedia” is a great word
CYCLOPAEDIA — [Noun] A reference work designed to encompass the entire circle or compass of human knowledge. From the Ancient Greek κύκλος (kúklos, "circle") + παιδεία (paideía, "education, child-rearing"). Unlike "encyclopedia" (its modern, streamlined descendant) or "lexicon" (which confines itself to definitions), a cyclopaedia proposes a grand, encircling synthesis. It is the weight of a leather-bound volume meant to contain all that a gentleman should know, the engraved frontispiece depicting Apollo with all the arts at his feet, and the quiet, hubristic hope that the universe of thought could be bounded and mastered—a beautiful, impossible idea whose very name now sounds like a relic.
noun
- The circle or compass of the arts and sciences (originally, of the seven so-called liberal arts and sciences); circle of human knowledge.
- An encyclopedia.