1. People who write, compile, or contribute to encyclopedias; scholars involved in creating comprehensive reference works.
Usage: Plural form of encyclopaedist; Often used historically to refer to contributors to major encyclopedic projects, especially the French Encyclopédie of the 18th century
2. Intellectuals or scholars who advocate for comprehensive, systematic knowledge and enlightenment; historically associated with the Enlightenment movement.
Usage: Historical usage, particularly referring to 18th-century French intellectuals

Examples

• The encyclopaedists of the 18th century worked tirelessly to document all human knowledge.
• Diderot and d'Alembert were among the most famous encyclopaedists of the French Enlightenment.
• Modern encyclopaedists use digital tools to organize and update vast amounts of information.
• The encyclopaedists believed that spreading knowledge would improve society.
• Many encyclopaedists contributed articles on specialized subjects to the great reference works.
• These encyclopaedists faced censorship for their progressive ideas about science and reason.