cyclopedia

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cyclopedia" is not correct in standard written English; the correct term is "encyclopedia." You can use "encyclopedia" when referring to a comprehensive reference work containing information on a wide range of subjects or a specific field.
Example: "I consulted the encyclopedia to find detailed information about ancient civilizations."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

(Its founder, Frank E. Compton, had previous experience in the field of encyclopaedia publication, having bought publication rights to the Student's Cyclopedia in 1912).

Encyclopedia Britannica

His prolific literary output (700 scientific papers and 66 books) included several landmark encyclopaedic works: Cyclopedia of American Horticulture (4 vol., 1900 02); Cyclopedia of American Agriculture (4 vol., 1907 09); and The Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture (6 vol., 1914).

Encyclopedia Britannica

After studying art and ornithology in his leisure time, he became assistant editor of Rees's Cyclopedia and in 1808 published the first volume of American Ornithology.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1894 Frank E. Compton sold a U.S. school encyclopaedia, the Students Cyclopedia, from door to door to pay his way through college.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His many impressive undertakings included the creation in 1943 of a Dictionary of United States Army Terms and the editing of the three-volume The New Century Cyclopedia of Names (1954; with William D. Halsey), The World Book Encyclopedia Dictionary (1963), and ongoing issues of The Barnhart Dictionary Companion (with his son David K. Barnhart).

Encyclopedia Britannica

They Cyclopedia was edited by James Grant Wilson… Lengty article about errors appearing in the Columbia Encyclopadie, the Encyclopadie Britannica, and the World Almanac.

The New Yorker

The fact that the fourteen biographies were fictitious was not generally known until thirty years after the publication of the Cyclopedia.

The New Yorker

Slonimsky began contributing to Oscar Thompson's International Cyclopedia of Music & Musicians in 1939 & upon Thompson's death, rose to its editorship in 1946; he remained at the helm through 1958, supervising the 4th through 8th editions.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Also absorbed were Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography, Nuttall's 1906 Encyclopedia, Chambers CyclopediaAikenken's General Biography, Rose's Biographical Dictionary, Easton's Bible Dictionary and many others.

The Guardian - Tech

In reaction to the period's produced "alternative" music, this Richmond group specialised in post-rock drones, on records such as Brown Cyclopedia (1995) and Pearls From the River (2003).

The Guardian - Music

4. I.e., A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy, initially the introductory volume to Dionysius Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopedia.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a comprehensive collection of knowledge, use the standard spelling "encyclopedia" rather than "cyclopedia" to ensure clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "cyclopedia" in formal writing; always double-check your spelling and use "encyclopedia" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "cyclopedia" is as a noun. While it can technically function as a noun, Ludwig AI indicates that it is not the standard spelling. It is an alternative spelling for the word "encyclopedia".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

41%

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "cyclopedia" functions grammatically as a noun referring to a comprehensive reference work, it is an alternative spelling of the more common and accepted term "encyclopedia". According to Ludwig AI, "cyclopedia" is not correct in standard written English. Its presence in sources like Encyclopedia Britannica and The New Yorker indicates its occasional use, particularly in historical contexts, but modern writing should favor the standard spelling. Therefore, to ensure clarity and avoid potential confusion, it is best to use "encyclopedia" in contemporary writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encyclopedia

Standard and widely accepted term for a comprehensive reference work.

compendium

Refers to a concise but comprehensive compilation of information on a specific subject.

reference work

A general term for a book or set of books designed for consultation rather than continuous reading.

collection of knowledge

Highlights the aspect of gathering and organizing information.

body of knowledge

Emphasizes the accumulated and organized nature of the information.

overview

Implies a summary or survey of a subject.

digest

A condensed version of a larger work.

handbook

A concise reference book providing specific information or instructions.

survey

A broad and comprehensive overview of a topic.

treatise

A formal and systematic exposition in writing of the principles of a subject.

FAQs

What is the correct spelling, "cyclopedia" or "encyclopedia"?

The correct and standard spelling is "encyclopedia". "Cyclopedia" is an alternative, less common spelling.

Is "cyclopedia" an acceptable alternative to "encyclopedia"?

While "cyclopedia" appears in some historical texts, it's best to use "encyclopedia" in modern writing to avoid confusion.

Where might I encounter the term "cyclopedia"?

You might find "cyclopedia" in older publications. However, contemporary sources overwhelmingly favor "encyclopedia".

What is an encyclopedia?

An encyclopedia is a comprehensive reference work containing information on all branches of knowledge or a particular subject. It is typically arranged alphabetically and provides detailed articles on a wide range of topics.