WordWeb

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

WordWeb
WordWeb (Free Version) 5.0 for Windows
Developed by	Antony Lewis
Latest release	5.2 / 2007
OS	Microsoft Windows
Genre	Dictionary
License	Free subject to license
Website	WordWeb web site

WordWeb is an international English dictionary and thesaurus program for Microsoft Windows. It is also available online.

1 Functions
2 Information
3 Versions
- 3.1 License
4 Regions
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Functions

The program is activated by holding down CTRL and right-clicking on a word in almost any program. This opens the WordWeb main window, with definitions and other helps.

The program usually resides in the tray, and has a low system footprint.^{[citation needed]}

Phrase guessing - for example, CTRL + right-clicking on the 'Princeton' in 'Princeton University' will show the meaning of the combined entity rather than only 'Princeton'.

Words from pictures - CTRL + right-clicking on a word within an image (for example, the 'Free' in the Wikipedia logo) will ask WordWeb to guess the word. (Note that right-clicking 'Encyclopedia' in the same logo returns 'Emyrlnpewa').

[edit] Information

The thesaurus is integrated into the dictionary; synonyms, as well as detailed categorization of the relationship between words, are shown under the definition. The program shows:

synonyms
antonyms
type of ('daisy' is listed as a type of 'flower')
types ('play' lists several sub-types of play, including 'passion play')
parts (under 'forest', listed parts include 'tree' and 'underbrush')
part of ('bumper' is a part of a 'car', 'truck', or 'machine')
similar (words that are not synonyms, but nearby; 'big is listed as similar to 'huge')

Users can also actively improve the dictionary and thesaurus by submitting errors (such as missing words/phrases/senses) and enhancement requests.

[edit] Versions

The program has two versions: free (which does not have the word list, search, anagram, or customization features), and a paid 'WordWeb Pro'.

WordWeb 5.00 added the ability to list entries from three web sources: Wikipedia, Wiktionary, and WordWeb Online. These details are presented in three separate tabs, which are built into the client application.

[edit] License

Use of the free version is subject to license terms^[1]. However, it might be used by an educational institution (free of cost) for their students, even if they violate said terms.

In version 5.2, a new license requirement restricts the free version of Word Web to only users who take under 2 flights per year. This is specified at the licensing page ((http://wordweb.info/free/licence5.html), however, this is hardly enforcable.