Definition: A comprehensive reference work (often spanning several printed volumes) with articles (usually arranged in alphabetical order, or sometimes arranged by category) on a range of subjects, sometimes general, sometimes limited to a particular field.

Alright class, settle down and let’s take a look! Today we're tackling the word “encyclopedia,” and it’s quite a clever one. The dictionary gave us a lovely explanation – let’s break it down with a little rhyme: “An encyclopedia, so grand and bright, A treasure trove of knowledge, shining light!” Now, what does it mean? Let's unpack that definition together. It says it’s a "comprehensive reference work," meaning it covers a lot of things! Think of it as a giant collection – almost like a whole library in one place. And it often “ spans several printed volumes ,” so you might need lots of books to hold it all! It’s not something you can squeeze into just one little book, that's for sure! Then we have “articles” , which are like mini-stories or explanations about different topics. They're usually written by experts and tell us all about a subject. And they’re put together in an organized way – " arranged in alphabetical order ," so you can easily find what you’re looking for, starting with A then B then C! Or sometimes, they might be grouped by “category,” like "Animals" or "History." So basically, an encyclopedia is a big, helpful book (or set of books!) that gives us information on almost anything you can imagine. Do you have any questions about what we’ve covered? Let's discuss!