SubscribeObjectGraph Dictionary: AJAX Powered
Monday September 5th 2005, 11:58 am
Written by: Brian Benzinger
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When I write, I often have to refer to a dictionary to check up on words or a thesaurus so that words don’t become redundant. My usual method of doing this is by going to Dictionary.com, but recently that has changed because now I am using ObjectGraph Dictionary. ObjectGraph Dictionary is a very easy to use AJAX powered Dictionary, Thesaurus, FOLDOC (computer terms), and even Elements from the Periodic Table of the Elements.
Instead of Dictionary.com, I now use ObjectGraph Dictionary. Why shouldn’t I? It has everything I need at my finger tips and is dynamic! Faster and better. Give it a try, maybe you will make the switch too! In case you wanted to know, the dictionary is based on The Project Gutenberg Etext of Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary.
You can find out more about this project by viewing the How does it work section.
# 1. Gabe on Sep 05, 2005 at 1:02 pm
Great idea. However, it seems that its d-base is based on a dictionary from 1913!!! That’s a pretty old corpus. The language has changed a lot since then. Look up “terrible” and you’ll see what I mean - it’s missing the sense in which people most often use the word today. Also, “wow” does not seem to be present in the corpus??
# 2. Brian Benzinger on Sep 05, 2005 at 1:09 pm
“Wow”, your right about that. Terrible isn’t really wrong, it does match fairly closely with Dictionary.com. But, I don’t really feel I would be looking up what the word “wow” means in a dictionary. But, I will definitely have to look at some more words. Words that I actually don’t understand and then compare them with Dictionary. For the most part, some it has worked out well for me.
Thankfully the Thesaurus is my main attraction =p I’m always at a loss of words!
Thanks for the find Gabe.
# 3. Gabe on Sep 05, 2005 at 6:48 pm
I just picked two words at random - but the problem occurs with any new word - or new sense of an existing word - that’s appeared in the last 100 years (look up “weird” for another example).
Anyway, I still love the site, but will only use it for spelling queries, and not definitions, until the corpus is updated.
Perhaps ObjectGraph could link up with Wikitionary in order to obtain a more current reference base without paying an exorbitant licensing fee to a dictionary publisher?
# 4. Louise on Mar 10, 2008 at 4:13 am
Yes, its database seems to be outdated. Here, I found this website: www.quickdef.net
It’s database seems to be latest. Try it.. It also a more information on a particular word. All in all, I love ajax dictionary. Very easy to use. :)