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Google Dictionary

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Re: Google Dictionary

#32

Post by whitebit »

matt1 wrote: post #19

"hackers plural 1. A computer hacker is someone who tries to break into computer systems, especially in order to get secret information. 2. A computer hacker is someone who uses a computer a lot, especially so much that they have no time to do anything else." http://www.google.com/dictionary?langpair=en%7Cen&q=hack... I guess we're number two?

Contrast this with the Oxford English Dictionary's entry for Hacker, noun:

  1.  One who hacks; one who hoes with a hack.
  2.  That which hacks; an implement for hacking, chopping
      wood, or breaking up earth; a chopper, cleaver; a hoe,
      mattock.
  3a. A person with an enthusiasm for programming or using
      computers as an end in itself. colloq. (orig. U.S.).
  3b. A person who uses his skill with computers to try to
      gain unauthorized access to computer files or
      networks. colloq.
One of the quotations listed under 3b. is also notable:

     1983 Byte May 298/1 ‘Hacker’ seems to have originated at
     MIT. The original German/Yiddish expression referred to
     someone so inept as to make furniture with an axe, but
     somehow the meaning has been twisted so that it now
     generally connotes someone obsessed with programming and
     computers but possessing a fair degree of skill and
     competence.

Re: Google Dictionary

#33

Post by bmj »

CWuestefeld wrote: post #29
matt1 wrote: post #19

"hackers plural 1. A computer hacker is someone who tries to break into computer systems, especially in order to get secret information. 2. A computer hacker is someone who uses a computer a lot, especially so much that they have no time to do anything else." http://www.google.com/dictionary?langpair=en%7Cen&q=hack... I guess we're number two?

Tried the first word that randomly popped into my head. panoply /p'ænəpli/ Synonyms: noun: armour, armor Huh? Since when are "panoply" and "armor" synonyms?

From dictionary.com:

1. a wide-ranging and impressive array or display: the dazzling panoply of the maharaja's procession; the panoply of European history.

2. a complete suit of armor.

3. a protective covering.

4. full ceremonial attire or paraphernalia; special dress and equipment.

Re: Google Dictionary

#35

Post by furyg3 »

rabidgnat wrote: post #20

For some test English words, it doesn't look any better than Wiktionary: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/pants http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/ostensibly http://www.google.com/dictionary?aq=f&langpair=en|en&#38... http://www.google.com/dictionary?aq=f&langpair=en|en&#38... As a plus, Wiktionary lets you download their data :). If Google opens this up, then it could get pretty interesting

I'm learning Dutch, and it's even worse. Really basic, commonly used words aren't there.

Good dictionaries are hard to build. At the same time, the web isn't constrained by space the same way a physical book is, which means that a result should have even more information. You shouldn't accept an online dictionary that gives you only one simple usage of a word.

A good dictionary will list the short & sweet definition, alternative definitions, forms, example usages, pronunciation, history, usages in various situations/jargon, idioms, and word history. This dictionary just points you to a wiki.

Re: Google Dictionary

#36

Post by grellas »

CWuestefeld wrote: post #29
matt1 wrote: post #19

"hackers plural 1. A computer hacker is someone who tries to break into computer systems, especially in order to get secret information. 2. A computer hacker is someone who uses a computer a lot, especially so much that they have no time to do anything else." http://www.google.com/dictionary?langpair=en%7Cen&q=hack... I guess we're number two?

Tried the first word that randomly popped into my head. panoply /p'ænəpli/ Synonyms: noun: armour, armor Huh? Since when are "panoply" and "armor" synonyms?

The word "panoply" derives from a compound Greek word, "pan" = "all" and "hoply," from the "hoplite" or "armed soldier" of ancient times. Hence, the original idea behind the word is that of being "fully (or heavily) armed."

Re: Google Dictionary

#37

Post by tszyn »

It's great that they used definitions from the Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary (http://www.antimoon.com/how/cobuild-review.htm). Collins was the pioneer of corpus-based full-sentence definitions back in the 90s. Nowadays, there are better choices for an English learner (e.g. the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English), but COBUILD is still miles ahead of open projects like Wiktionary.

Overall, good news for English learners in the short term, but not so much in the long run (who's going to make dictionaries if you can no longer sell them for money?).

Re: Google Dictionary

#40

Post by pasbesoin »

tszyn wrote: post #37

It's great that they used definitions from the Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary ( http://www.antimoon.com/how/cobuild-review.htm ). Collins was the pioneer of corpus-based full-sentence definitions back in the 90s. Nowadays, there are better choices for an English learner (e.g. the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English), but COBUILD is still miles ahead of open projects like Wiktionary. Over…

On the off chance, does anyone have recommendations for similar resources in German, French, and/or Spanish?
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