Encyclopedias are books that collect all or a part of human knowledge. Unlike language dictionaries, which simply provide definitions of lemmas, encyclopedias consider words as a topic to be fully covered. Specialized encyclopedias differ from general encyclopedias in their disciplinary focus and in the depth of discussion of the topic.
General encyclopedias
- Enciclopedia italiana di scienze, lettere e arti (Roma, Istituto della enciclopedia italiana, 1949-)
- The new Encyclopaedia britannica (15th ed., Chicago, Encyclopaedia britannica, c1997)
- Enciclopedia (Torino, Einaudi, c1977)
- Enciclopedia europea (Milano, Garzanti, 1976-1984)
- Enciclopedia Motta (Milano, Motta, c19
Specialized encyclopedias
- Enciclopedia della scienza e della tecnica (7. ed., Milano, Mondadori, c1980)
- McGraw-Hill encyclopedia of science and technology (7th ed., New York, McGraw-Hill, c1992)
- Enciclopedia delle scienze sociali (Roma, Istituto della enciclopedia italiana, 1991-)
- Enciclopedia del diritto (Milano, Giuffrè, c1958-1995)