noun
encyclopaedia
ihn-seye-kluh-PEE-dee-uh
noun
1
A reference work covering many subjects in organized articles, usually alphabetically; the standard British spelling of encyclopedia.
"The old encyclopaedia set filled an entire bookshelf."
How to Use Encyclopaedia
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA big reference book covering lots of topics — same word as "encyclopedia," just spelled the British way.
UK vs US
UK spelling is "encyclopaedia"; US spelling drops the "a" to give "encyclopedia."
Easily confused with
Word Forms
encyclopaedias plural, encyclopaediae plural
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The old _____ set filled an entire bookshelf.
Etymology
A restored spelling of encyclopedia, borrowed via New Latin encyclopaedia.