Whether you ’re looking for a Holy Scripture ’s definition , synonym , or correct spelling , or even for geographical terminus and biographical info , Apple ’s Dictionary can help . Dan Frakes ’ late article , Five Dictionary tricks , covered how to use the Dictionary without launching it . But workinginsidethis program offer unique advantages .
1. Make the Dictionary talk
If you may decrypt the pronunciation provided by the Dictionary , you are probably a polyglot . If you ca n’t , let the Dictionary pronounce the Holy Scripture for you . All the system voices vocalise slenderly robotlike , but you could select the one you care best in the Text To Speech chit under System Preferences - > Speech . The pronunciations are helpful and amazingly exact , with correct syllabification and tension .
To make the Dictionary talk , direct to the word and Control - dawn ( or flop - pawl ) on it . From the crop up - up menu , choose Speech - > Start utter . You do n’t have to choose the word first unless it ’s burst into syllables in the entry ; if it is , forfend amaze only a single syllable enounce by selecting the word and right wing - clicking on one of the bullets that divide the syllables .
Bonus tipSkip the selection process for a multi - syllabic word by simply Control - clicking on it elsewhere in the Dictionary windowpane . For representative , penetrate on the sample of how it ’s used in a sentence , or on the championship of its Thesaurus entryway .
Use Dictionary’s preferences to choose the reference sources you want shown. Then define their display order by dragging an entry up or down in the list. Use the Contextual Menu buttons to specify what happens when you use the Look Up in Dictionary command after Control- or right-clicking on a word.
2. Get synonyms instead of definitions
I need synonyms more often than I need definitions , so I want the Thesaurus part of the Dictionary to take precedence both in the Dictionary windowpane and in “ quick fix ” Dictionary access — by type a word in the glare carte du jour and getting its Dictionary information , or by hovering over a word with your cursor while pressing Command - Control - D in most Apple programs .
Use Dictionary ’s penchant to choose the reference generator you want shown . Then limit their showing parliamentary procedure by drag an submission up or down in the listing . Use the Contextual Menu buttons to specify what happens when you practice the Look Up in Dictionary command after Control- or right - clicking on a word . deepen the Dictionary ’s priority from definitions to synonyms , and you ’ll see the Thesaurus entries at the top of the Dictionary windowpane and as the default for Dictionary pop - ups and spot - menu displays . start the Dictionary ( it ’s in your Applications brochure ) and take Dictionary - > Preferences . You ’ll see a lean of address ; just drag Thesaurus to the top .
Bonus tipOne flying room to enter the Dictionary in most applications is to select a Book , Control - click , and then choose expect Up In Dictionary in the contextual computer menu . But if the pop - up Dictionary panel that seem is too small for you , you could choose to always see the full Dictionary windowpane instead . In Dictionary , prime Dictionary - > Preferences . Under Contextual Menu , pick out Opens Dictionary program .
You won’t see links in the Dictionary window until you hover over them individually. If they were all permanently displayed, however, this is how a typical entry would look.
3. Adjust the font size
You have older eyes and need bigger type . Or you have unseasoned eyes and would prefer more text to show in the Dictionary without having to resize its window . Whatever the character , you may conciliate your need as a nonpayment or just temporarily .
Set the default case size using the Font Size pop - up carte du jour in Dictionary ’s preferences ( Dictionary - > Preferences ) . To adjust the text size of it temporarily ( until you close down the Dictionary ) , use the Increase and Decrease buttons ( the large and small A ’s ) or their oddly asymmetrical keyboard equivalents : Command - minus signboard ( - ) for smaller and Command - Shift - equal sign ( =) for larger .
4. Use the “hidden” links in the Dictionary window
You would n’t get laid just to appear at a Dictionary unveiling , but it ’s filled with link . Hover over something — almostanything — in the window , and you ’ll see words turn blue and underlined , becoming directly recognizable as clickable links . That means that if a definition admit an unfamiliar word , you’re able to just press it to see what it means . Or , trace a lead through lists of synonyms in the Thesaurus to recover just the right-hand shade of significance .
You wo n’t see tie in the Dictionary window until you hover over them individually . If they were all for good display , however , this is how a distinctive introduction would look .
5. Look up people and places
Word and phrase definition are n’t the only thing in the Dictionary . You ’ll obtain biographic info , too . ply across a character reference to Ayn Rand and wonder if that was her real name ? Want to fuck what the heck Michelangelo ’s last name is ? You ’ll find the answers in the Dictionary .
And if geography is n’t your strong suit of clothes , the Dictionary can come to the deliverance not just with anticipate place names ( such as Lake Erie ) , but also with lesser - known topographic point names ( such asLake Mobutu Sese Seko ) .
6. Dive into Wikipedia for in-depth information
You do n’t have to go to your internet browser for more information about a briefly defined word or phrase . The Dictionary includes a wormhole to Wikipedia , and displays the current countersign ’s entry ( as long as you have an Internet connectedness ) . you’re able to even click your way through Wikipedia links while remaining in the Dictionary window .
Bonus tipIf you have a dense link and Wikipedia is making your Dictionary showing sluggish , turn off the Wikipedia segment . In Dictionary preferences , deselect Wikipedia in the denotation tilt .
7. Censor the Dictionary
If you have nipper using a Mac and do n’t require sure Word to show in the Dictionary , you could prevent them from being display ( adopt the nestling is using a separate , non - administrative account ) . sign out of the child ’s account , and in the Accounts preference pane , click the Lock icon so you could make change . pick out the child ’s account in the leaning and get through the Open Parental Controls button . In the Content lozenge , select Hide Profanity In Dictionary . Poof ! Vulgar terms disappear ( think George Carlin ’s seven muddy watchword ) , while still depart approach to such things as real names for dead body parts .
Sharon Zardetto is presently infer much joy from two new additions to her family : the latest MacBook Pro and an iPad . She writes about the latter iniPadPunditry .
