encyklopædi

Encyklopædi is a term used to refer to a comprehensive reference work that contains a large amount of information on various subjects. The word is derived from the Greek words "enkyklos," meaning "circle" or "enclosure," and "paideia," meaning "education" or "culture." In the 18th century, the term was used to describe a type of book that aimed to provide a broad and systematic overview of human knowledge.

The Danish-Swedish professor and philosopher Thomas Erasmus, also known as Thomas Bartholin the Younger, is credited with coining the term "encyklopædi" in the 1730s. However, it was the French philosopher Denis Diderot who popularized the concept of the encyklopædi with the publication of the Encyclopédie, or a Critical Dictionary of the Sciences, Arts, and Crafts, in 1751. This ambitious project aimed to coordinate the scientific and literary efforts of the Enlightenment and provide a comprehensive reference work that covered all aspects of human knowledge.

Over time, the concept of the encyklopædi has evolved to include a wide range of formats, from print to digital, and from traditional to online media. Today, encyklopædis can be found in various forms, including books, online databases, and multimedia platforms. While the term has undergone significant changes in its usage and meaning, the core idea of a comprehensive reference work that provides a broad and systematic overview of human knowledge remains at its core.