en·cy·clo·pe·dism noun alsoen·cy·clo·pae·dism\ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈpēˌdizəm\ (-s) Etymology:encyclopedia, encyclopaedia + -ism 1.: possession of a wide range of knowledge 2.often capitalized: the writings, views, and influence on thought of the encyclopedists