Cyclopedic is a word that is often misspelled as "encyclopedic." The correct spelling of "cyclopedic" is due to its origins in the Greek word "kuklos," meaning "circle," and "paideia," meaning "education." In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced /saɪkləˈpedɪk/, with the stress on the second syllable. The "cy-" prefix is pronounced /saɪ/, while the "-pedic" suffix is pronounced /ˈpedɪk/. The correct spelling and pronunciation of "cyclopedic" are essential for effective communication in written and spoken language.
Cyclopedic refers to something that resembles or is characteristic of a cyclopedia, which is a comprehensive reference work that contains information on a wide range of topics. The term derives from the Latin word "cyclopaedia," originally used to describe a type of encyclopedia that covered all knowledge.
The adjective cyclopedic describes a body of knowledge or a writing style that is thorough, extensive, and encompassing a broad range of subjects. It implies a comprehensive and encyclopedic level of understanding in a particular field, suggesting a vast amount of information and detailed expertise.
When used to describe a work, such as a book or an article, cyclopedic emphasizes its encompassing nature, implying that it serves as an all-encompassing resource on the subject at hand. A cyclopedic work is expected to provide comprehensive information and cover various aspects, providing in-depth knowledge and thorough exploration.
Furthermore, cyclopedic can also describe an individual's extensive knowledge or comprehensive understanding of various subjects. It suggests that the person possesses a wide-ranging and detailed familiarity with multiple disciplines or topics, portraying them as highly knowledgeable and well-educated.
In summary, cyclopedic represents a breadth and depth of knowledge, encompassing a wide range of subjects or serving as a comprehensive resource. It implies thoroughness, comprehensiveness, and expertise in a particular field or topic.
The word "cyclopedic" is derived from the term "cyclopaedia", which was an alternative spelling of the word "encyclopedia" in the 18th century. The term "encyclopedia" itself originates from the Greek words "enkyklios paideia", meaning "general education" or "all-around education". The prefix "cyclo-" in "cyclopedic" comes from the Greek word "kyklos", meaning "circle" or "wheel", suggesting the notion of encompassing or comprehensive knowledge. Therefore, "cyclopedic" essentially means relating to or characteristic of an encyclopedia, indicating breadth and extensive coverage of a subject.