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Encyclopedia vs Manual - What's the difference?

encyclopedia | manual |

As nouns the difference between encyclopedia and manual

is that encyclopedia is a comprehensive reference work (often spanning several printed volumes) with in-depth articles (usually arranged in alphabetical order, or sometimes arranged by category) on a range of subjects, sometimes general, sometimes limited to a particular field while manual is manual (booklet).

encyclopedia

English

(wikipedia encyclopedia)

Alternative forms

* (chiefly British) encyclopaedia * (obsolete)

Noun

  • A comprehensive reference work (often spanning several printed volumes) with in-depth articles (usually arranged in alphabetical order, or sometimes arranged by category) on a range of subjects, sometimes general, sometimes limited to a particular field.
    • I only use the library for the encyclopedia , as we’ve got most other books here.
    His life's work was a four-volume encyclopedia of aviation topics.
  • (dated) The circle of arts and sciences; a comprehensive summary of knowledge, or of a branch of knowledge.
    • (Webster 1913)

    Usage notes

    The spelling encyclopedia'' is standard in American English, preferred in Canadian English, accepted in Australian and International English, and also very common in British English. It is more common than ''encyclopaedia , for example, in UK newspapers on Google News in 2009 by a 7:3 margin.

    Derived terms

    * -pedia

    Related terms

    * encyclopedical * encyclopedic * encyclopedic fiction * encyclopedist * encyclopedic dictionary

    See also

    * dictionary

    manual

    English

    (wikipedia manual)

    Alternative forms

    * manuall (obsolete)

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) manuel, from

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A handbook.
  • A booklet that instructs on the usage of a particular machine.
  • (music) A keyboard for the hands on a harpsichord, organ, or other musical instrument.
  • A manual transmission; a gearbox, especially of a motorized vehicle, shifted by the operator.
  • (by synecdoche) A vehicle with a manual transmission.
  • A bicycle technique whereby the front wheel is held aloft by the rider, without the use of pedal foce.
    • Synonyms
    * handbook
    Derived terms
    * reference manual * instruction manual * user manual * user's manual * owners manual * owner's manual

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) manuel, manual, from (etyl) .

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Performed with the hands (of an activity).
  • * 1897 , Henry James, What Maisie Knew :
    • She gave a wild manual brush to her locks.
  • Operated by means of the hands (of a machine, device etc.).
    • Synonyms
    *
    Antonyms
    * automatic
    Derived terms
    * manually
    Related terms
    * amanuensis * manufacture * manumit * manus * manuscript
    Coordinate terms
    * , relating to the mouth * , relating to the foot

    Anagrams

    * ----