Encyclopedia: Difference between revisions
imported>Richard Nevell (Not a particularly helpful link) |
imported>Christine Bush (Revised first sentence to emphasize the written nature typical of the encyclopedic enterprise, and removed prose relating to "comprehensive human knowledge" which is unattainable.) |
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An '''encyclopedia''' (less frequently spelled '''encyclopaedia''') is a [[book]], a collection of books, or electronic media | An '''encyclopedia''' (less frequently spelled '''encyclopaedia''') is most often a compendium of writings collected and stored as a [[book]], a collection of books, or electronic media that contains systematically organized [[information]] relating to either particular fields or significant portions of human knowledge. An encyclopedia is generally used for reference purposes. Famous encyclopedias include [[Encyclopaedia Britannica Eleventh Edition]] (1911), [[Encyclopaedia Britannica]], [[Encarta]], [[World Book]], [[Encyclopedia Americana]], [[Wikipedia]] and [[Citizendium]]. Many specialized encyclopedias have appeared, such as the [[Catholic Encyclopedia]] and [[Jewish Encyclopedia]]. Since the 1990s electronic publication has increasingly replaced print. Indeed there has never been a print version of [[Encarta]], [[Wikipedia]] or [[Citizendium]]. | ||
Revision as of 16:08, 3 July 2014
An encyclopedia (less frequently spelled encyclopaedia) is most often a compendium of writings collected and stored as a book, a collection of books, or electronic media that contains systematically organized information relating to either particular fields or significant portions of human knowledge. An encyclopedia is generally used for reference purposes. Famous encyclopedias include Encyclopaedia Britannica Eleventh Edition (1911), Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encarta, World Book, Encyclopedia Americana, Wikipedia and Citizendium. Many specialized encyclopedias have appeared, such as the Catholic Encyclopedia and Jewish Encyclopedia. Since the 1990s electronic publication has increasingly replaced print. Indeed there has never been a print version of Encarta, Wikipedia or Citizendium.