What does encyclopedism mean?
Encyclopedism is the noun form of encyclopedic and denotes the pursuit or quality of comprehensive knowledge. It describes an approach that seeks to encompass a subject broadly, connecting facts from many areas rather than concentrating on a single narrow topic. The word often appears in intellectual and critical contexts, where it can suggest intellectual ambition, breadth of learning, and careful organization. Its tone is generally respectful but may sometimes imply that an author is attempting to cover too much ground or displaying learning for its own sake. Encyclopedism is distinct from the more familiar adjective encyclopedic, although both come from the tradition of encyclopaedias: works designed to gather knowledge systematically. Although the plural encyclopedisms is grammatically possible, the noun is overwhelmingly used as an uncountable abstract term.
nounThe quality or condition of being encyclopedic, especially the pursuit of comprehensive knowledge across a broad field.
- The quality or condition of being encyclopedic, especially a comprehensive approach to knowledge.
"The lecture was remarkable for its encyclopedism, moving easily from history and science to literature and philosophy."
"The scholar's essays are celebrated for their encyclopedism and their ability to connect distant fields."
"Rather than offering a narrow defense of one discipline, the book embraces a broad encyclopedism."
Grammatically possible but rare; encyclopedism is normally used as an uncountable noun.
"The exhibition juxtaposes two contrasting encyclopedisms of the natural world."
Encyclopedism turns the ambition to know everything into an ideal: every fact should ideally have a place in the larger map.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does encyclopedism come from?
Encyclopedism developed from encyclopedia, which was borrowed through Latin from the Greek enkyklios paideia, meaning general or comprehensive education. The modern English word became associated with systematic reference works that sought to summarize the whole of a field. Its suffix -ism adds the idea of a condition, practice, or principle, producing a term for an encyclopedic quality or approach.
Related word forms
How encyclopedism is actually used
The noun is formal and relatively uncommon. It is normally treated as uncountable and carries a slightly elevated literary tone, suggesting breadth, depth, and the systematic organization of knowledge.
Easily confused with encyclopedism
Encyclopedism is a noun naming the quality or pursuit of comprehensive knowledge, whereas encyclopedic is an adjective describing something that contains broad, systematic information.