Re: pronounciations at www.m-w.com


"name" <dohduhdah@xxxxxxxxx> wrote :
>
> When I look up a word online it takes me little more effort than a few
> mouseclicks. In a dictionary you need to search for words manually
> whereas on the computer you instantly get the information you're
> looking for.

Let's examine that proposition a little more closely by comparing the
actions involved in looking up a word "manually" in paper dictionary vs.
looking it up on-line, using the word "vehement" as an example:
ON-LINE LOOK-UP:
1. turn the computer switch "on" (bend down and press a button)
1a. wait anywhere from one to five minutes (depending on your computer) for
it to "warm up"
2. establish internet connection (perhaps a mouseclick or two)
3. open browser (another mouse-click)
4. connect to on-line dictionary (perhaps a mouse-click or two, if you've
already bookmarked the site, otherwise several keystrokes)
5. type "vehement" in the search bar (eight keystrokes), hit "Enter")
6. et voila, in *milliseconds* (after you've hit the Enter key,
anyway) ---- there is your super-abridged definition: deficient in a
complete guide to pronunciation, no etymologies given, no comments on usage,
no alternative pronunciations, no complete list of alternative or
specialized meanings, etc, etc.
"MANUAL" LOOK-UP:
1. Pick up the book (depending on weight and size, a one-handed or
two-handed maneuver) (Youdon't need to turn it on --- it's always ready,
even in the event of a power-failure or server breakdown, and you don't have
to wait for it to "warm up")
2. Open it where you'd estimate the "V's" to be (usually a singlehanded
motion can do it)
3. Flip pages either forward or backward, using the words at the tops of
the pages as your guide (involves tricky use of thumb in concert with other
fingers, but a pretty easily mastered technique)
4. Scan the page for "vehement"
5. et voila, in *milliseconds* (after your eye has focused on the word) you
have your basic definition and complete pronunciation guide (including
alternate pronunciations, as well as your alternate and specialized
meanings, comments on usage, and your etymological history, etc etc.

On balance, it looks like to me like you end up spending MORE energy to get
INFERIOR results if you look it up on-line.

> Also, a really good electronic dictionary (unlike the online version of
> m-w.com) would
> allow advanced search options, like looking for all entries where a
> certain word occurs
> in the discription.

On the other hand, if you REALLY wanted to look up ALL entries where a
certain word occurred in the definition (although I really can't imagine how
useful that would be --- if you can't think of the word you're looking for,
a thesaurus might be what you really need), then "advanced search options"
of an on-line dictionary is just the ticket.


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