define |
Discworld playtester help |
define |
Name
define - Looks up a word in the dictionary
Syntax
define <word>
define <word> all
Description
The "define" command is used to look up a word in a dictionary. By default, it looks in Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, 1913.
The currently available dictionaries are:
| web1913 | Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) |
| A copyright-free, publicly available dictionary. | |
| gcide | The Collaborative International Dictionary of English |
| A collaborative project to update the web1913 dictionary to provide a more comprehensive and up-to-date version. | |
| wn | WordNet 2.0 |
| A dictionary based around sets of synonyms related to a single concept. |
"define word" looks up "word" in only the web1913 dictionary, while "define word all" looks it up in the others instead.
Examples
> define abacus
You look up a word.
Definitions for abacus:
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Abacus \Ab"a*cus\ ([a^]b"[.a]*k[u^]s), n.; E. pl. {Abacuses}; L. pl. {Abaci} (-s[imac]). [L. abacus, abax, Gr. 'a`bax] 1. A table or tray strewn with sand, anciently used for drawing, calculating, etc. [Obs.]
2. A calculating table or frame; an instrument for performing arithmetical calculations by balls sliding on wires, or counters in grooves, the lowest line representing units, the second line, tens, etc. It is still employed in China.
3. (Arch.) (a) The uppermost member or division of the capital of a column, immediately under the architrave. See {Column}. (b) A tablet, panel, or compartment in ornamented or mosaic work.
4. A board, tray, or table, divided into perforated compartments, for holding cups, bottles, or the like; a kind of cupboard, buffet, or sideboard.
{Abacus harmonicus} (Mus.), an ancient diagram showing the structure and disposition of the keys of an instrument. —Crabb.
> You look up a word.
Definitions for abacus:
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)
Abacus \Ab"a*cus\ ([a^]b"[.a]*k[u^]s), n.; E. pl. {Abacuses}; L. pl. {Abaci} (-s[imac]). [L. abacus, abax, Gr. 'a`bax] 1. A table or tray strewn with sand, anciently used for drawing, calculating, etc. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
2. A calculating table or frame; an instrument for performing arithmetical calculations by balls sliding on wires, or counters in grooves, the lowest line representing units, the second line, tens, etc. It is still employed in China. [1913 Webster]
3. (Arch.) (a) The uppermost member or division of the capital of a column, immediately under the architrave. See {Column}. (b) A tablet, panel, or compartment in ornamented or mosaic work. [1913 Webster]
4. A board, tray, or table, divided into perforated compartments, for holding cups, bottles, or the like; a kind of cupboard, buffet, or sideboard. [1913 Webster]
{Abacus harmonicus} (Mus.), an ancient diagram showing the structure and disposition of the keys of an instrument. —Crabb. [1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 2.0 (wn)
abacus n 1: a tablet placed horizontally on top of the capital of a column as an aid in supporting the architrave 2: a calculator that performs arithmetic functions by manually sliding counters on rods or in grooves [also: {abaci} (pl)]
