One Look Dictionary Search: Your One-Stop Word Shop
July 8th 2007 00:23
We writers are crafters of language. We continually manipulate words, seeking the perfect one to use in expressing a precise thought, feeling, or idea. Our thesaurus is our close acquaintance. Our dictionary is our intimate friend and indispensable companion! Without quick, easy, and efficient access to the correct definitions and proper usages of the words we weave into our written masterpieces, we could never create written works that express our thoughts appropriately and effectively. For this reason, we must always be on the lookout for the best resources we can find that will cut down on the time required for word research and provide the needed information quickly and efficiently so that we can get on with the actual process of writing!
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While browsing for online dictionaries one day recently, I came across a great resource--one that's better than a dictionary, because it's actually an entire collection of dictionaries. One Look Dictionary Search is a comparative index of dictionary websites which indexes "8,853,196 words in 937 dictionaries"--all of them online. That's a lot of words--and a lot of dictionaries! (There are both general and specialized dictionaries in this index. Some encyclopedias are included in the list, as well.)
This site gives you three search options: Find Definitions, Find Translations, and Search All Dictionaries. When Find Definitions is chosen, and a word (or phrase) is searched for via the site's search box, a list of dictionaries (and encyclopedias) that contain the word in their definitions is generated. At the same time, an instant definition is also generated in the "Quick Definitions" box on the right side of the page. This is a great feature when a quick, basic definition is needed.
The name of each reference site, as well as a link to its home page and an info link about the site can be found at the end of each single-line listing. Each listing also has a direct link to the definition of the searched-for word in the particular dictionary. These links are great for quick and easy comparison of sites, definitions, word etymology, etc.
Find Translations will generate a search of various language dictionaries, including multi-lingual dictionaries and foreign language dictionaries built around specialized topics--a boon to those who need to research non-English words.
The Search Dictionaries option generates a list of specialized dictionaries (in the English language), which follow the general dictionary definitions of the term, allowing the searcher to access such resources as dictionaries of Medicine, Religion, Science, and even Slang. This option could definitely come in handy for more in-depth research of a word or topic.
Wildcards may also be used to find either specific or numerous forms of a root word. And, amazingly enough, the site also features a handy reverse dictionary, which allows you to find a word when you already know its definition. It also offers a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, which addresses issues about which its readers may be uncertain.
One Look Dictionary Search is definitely your one-stop word shop! Check it out--and find all your definitions in one place! You'll save time, energy, and effort that would better be directed toward crafting your next literary masterpiece.
Happy Research!
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Don't leave me lonely--Please comment!
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Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
This is an excellen resource you've found, thanks.
Tracy
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Glad you're finding this site to be of value. I thought it pretty helpful, myself.
Thanks for dropping by!
Jeanne
Comment by Lily
Ars Poetica
~Lily
Comment by tlcorbin-raginravensview
wow, I have it on my bookmarks toolbar now, this may be a treasure trove of useful information.
You find some very helpful tools. Thanks.
Raven
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
No problem. Thanks for the visit and the comment!
Be well,
Jeanne
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
I felt the same way when I discovered this site. I can certainly see it proving useful time and time again--a definite candidate for bookmarking.
Thanks for the feedback!
Jeanne