Term used to designate an abridgment of human knowledge in general or a considerable department thereof, treated from a uniform point of view, or in a systematized summary. The technical use of the word dates only from the 16th century, although encyclopedic treatment of human science reaches back to antiquity. Systematic encyclopedias are divided into two classes:
(1) those which present all branches of knowledge, arranged uniformly and organically according to some fixed system of connection;
(2) the lexicographical encyclopedias, which treat of the same matter arranged alphabetically. Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) was the first in ancient times to attempt a summary of human knowledge in encyclopedic form.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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