'Encyclopedia' definitions:

Definition of 'encyclopedia'

noun

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]

Definition of 'Encyclopedia'

From: GCIDE

Encyclopedia \En*cy`clo*pe"di*a\, Encyclopaedia \En*cy`clo*p[ae]"di*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, for ? ?, instruction in the circle of arts and sciences: cf. F. encyclop['e]die. See Cyclopedia, and Encyclical.] [Formerly written encyclop[ae]dy and encyclopedy.] The full circle of arts and sciences; a comprehensive summary of knowledge, or of a branch of knowledge; esp., a work in which the various branches of science or art are discussed separately, and usually in alphabetical order; a cyclopedia. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'encyclopedia'

From: Moby Thesaurus

atlas,
bibliography,
body of knowledge,
body of learning,
calendar,
casebook,
catalog,
catalogue raisonne,
city directory,
classified catalog,
concordance,
cyclopedia,
diatesseron,
dictionary catalog,
directory,
gazetteer,
harmony,
index,
literature,
lore,
materials,
phone book,
polyglot,
publications,
record book,
reference book,
source book,
store of knowledge,
studbook,
system of knowledge,
telephone book,
telephone directory,
treasury of information,
work of reference