From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An encyclopedic dictionary typically includes a large
number of short listings, arranged alphabetically, and
discussing a wide range of topics. Encyclopedic dictionaries can
be general, containing articles on topics in many different
fields; or they can specialize in a particular field (such as
art,
biography, law, medicine, or philosophy). They may also be
organized around a particular academic, cultural, ethnic, or
national perspective.
Historically, the term has been used to refer to any
encyclopedic
reference book (that is, one comprehensive in scope), which
was organized alphabetically, as with the familiar
dictionary. (The term dictionary preceded
encyclopedia in common usage by about two centuries.) To
convey their alphabetic method of organization and to contrast
that method with other systems for classifying knowledge, many
early encyclopedias were titled or sub-titled "a dictionary of
arts and sciences" or something similar.
However, it later developed into a somewhat distinct class of
reference books, and if we were creating the phrase today we
might use something like a dictionaric encyclopedia, as
it is sometimes more the latter than the former. While there are
similarities, of course, to both
dictionaries and
encyclopedias, there are important distinctions as well:
- A
dictionary is primarily focused on words and their
definition, and typically provides limited information,
analysis or background for the word defined. Hence, while it
may offer a definition, it may leave the reader still
lacking in understanding the meaning or import of a term,
and how the term relates to a broader field of knowledge.
- An
encyclopedia, on the other hand, seeks to discuss each
subject in more depth and convey the accumulated knowledge
on that subject. This characteristic is especially true of
those encyclopedias with long monographs on particular
subjects, such as the first ten editions of the
Encyclopædia Britannica. While often organized
alphabetically, some encyclopedias were not. Usually, more
of the discussion may be organized around a field (such as
law)
or a topic (such as the
Scottish enlightenment), and less on the alphabetic
terminology related to that discussion. An encyclopedia also
often includes many maps and illustrations, as well as
bibliography and statistics.
Compared to a dictionary, the encyclopedic dictionary offers
a more complete description and a choice of entries selected to
convey a range of knowledge. Compared to an encyclopedia, the
encyclopedic dictionary offers ease of use, through summarized
entries and in some cases more entries of separate terms; and
often reduced size, and the reduced publishing and purchase cost
that implies.
Of course, the question of how to structure the entries, and
how much information to include, are among the core issues in
organizing reference books. As different approaches are better
suited to different uses or users, all three approaches have
been in wide use since the end of the
18th century.
The title of the volume may not be a good indication of which
type of reference it is, as commercial concerns may have
affected the publisher's selection of a title.
History
The encyclopedic dictionary evolved from the dictionary.
John Harris' subtitled his landmark
Lexicon technicum a "universal English dictionary of Arts
and Sciences," and it is best known for being that - the first
English-language, alphabetically-ordered collection of
knowledge.
The
18th century
encyclopedists, in turn, dramatically expanded the depth
and, in some cases, substantially revised the organization of
the encyclopedic dictionary to create the early major
encyclopedias, the French
Encyclopédie and later the British
Encyclopædia Britannica. However, such comprehensive
works were costly and difficult to produce, and to keep current;
and the detailed entries were not ideal for some reference uses.
The first version of the German
Conversations-Lexikon (1796-1808) was just 2,762 pages
in six volumes, and while that work was later expanded, its
format using numerous, less lengthy entries served as the
principal model for many
19th century
encyclopedias and encyclopedic dictionaries.
The principal English-language encyclopaedic dictionary of
the nineteenth century was the 7-volume in 14 eponymous work by
Robert Hunter (1823-1897), published by Cassell in 1879-88, and
reprinted many times up to 1910, including (1895) as the
mass-circulation Lloyd's Encyclopaedic Dictionary. Hunter was
assisted by Henry Scherren and a small team of domestic
assistants at his house in
Loughton. In the USA, the dictionary was reissued with a
variety of titles.
See also
Other notable historic encyclopedic dictionaries and early
encyclopedias:
-
Lexicon technicum by
John Harris
-
Cyclopaedia, or Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences
by
Ephraim Chambers
-
Grand dictionnaire universel du XIXe siècle by
Pierre Larousse
- The
Century Dictionary
Categories:
Encyclopedias |
Dictionaries
