noun
also en·cy·clo·pae·dist -ēdə̇st
( -s )
Etymology: encycloped ia, encyclopaed ia + -ist
1. : one who compiles or assists in the compilation of an encyclopedia
2.
[French encyclopédiste, from encyclopédie encyclopedia (from Medieval Latin encyclopaedia ) + -iste -ist]
a. often capitalized : one of the writers of the French Encyclopédie ou Dictionnaire raisonné des Sciences, des Arts, et des Métiers (1751-80) who were identified with the Enlightenment and advocated deism and scientific rationalism
b. : one who adheres to or displays affinities with 18th century rationalism