encyclopedia

Where does the word "encyclopedia" come from? It comes from Greek enkyklios paideia, passing through Latin before entering English (1600s).

Encyclopedia’s story begins in Greek: enkyklios paideia meant “a well-rounded general education.” Literally a circle of learning, the well-rounded education expected of a free citizen. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in Latin as encyclopaedia. Combined into a single Latin word by Renaissance scholars. It reached English by 1600s as encyclopedia. Settled as the word for a reference work covering all knowledge. Today, encyclopedia means a reference work containing information on many subjects.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient enkyklios paideia "a well-rounded general education", literally a circle of learning, the well-rounded education expected of a free citizen.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · 1500s encyclopaedia "a comprehensive body of knowledge", combined into a single Latin word by Renaissance scholars.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s encyclopedia "a reference work covering many subjects", settled as the word for a reference work covering all knowledge.