Xfce Dictionary

Xfce Dictionary (package name: xfce4-dict) is an open source and completely free graphical software project specifically designed for the lightweight Xfce desktop environment, allowing users to search different kinds of dictionary services for phrases and words,and display the result.

Supports querying a dict server

At the moment, Xfce Dictionary only supports querying a dict server (RFC 2229), as well as any online dictionary service, simply by searching for words using the ispell/aspell program or opening a web browser.

Integrates with the Xfce panel

The software is comprised of a xfce4-dict command-line utility and a plugin for the Xfce panel. You can query a dict server, search result highlighting, query web-based dictionaries, and search based on spell checking.

Simple and intuitive graphical user interface

After installation (see below for details), you can start the program from the Office section of Xfce’s start menu. It provides a simple and intuitive graphical user interface that lets you quickly find words.

You can select a search source, such as Dict, Web or Spell Check. All results will be displayed at a glance under the search box and you will be notified about the total number of found suggestions in the status bar.

It’s independent of Xfce

Xfce Dictionary can be installed on any GNU/Linux operating system from either the Software Center app or by compiling the source package. However, please note that it does not depend on the Xfce desktop environment.

Installing Xfce Dictionary

To install Xfce Dictionary using the source package, download it and save it on your Home directory. Extract its contents using an archive manager tool, then open a Terminal app and navigate to the location where you have extracted the archive file (e.g. cd /home/softoware/xfce4-dict-0.7.0).

Run the ‘./configure && make’ command to configure and compile the program, followed by the ‘sudo make install’ command to install it system wide and make it available to all users on your machine.

What is new in this release:

• Rework and improve presentation of the search results
• Colourise search terms according to the search result for better visual feedback
• Add Speed Reader dialog to train fast reading

What is new in version 0.5.3:

• Fix some cursor issues in the results window
• Print the used dictionary in the spell checker results
• Improve some strings, thanks to Jerome Guelfucci for the suggestions
• Properly escape URIs when using Web based search
• Add '--verbose' command line option for the stand-alone application
• Minor fixes and improvements
• Updated translations

What is new in version 0.5.2:

• Avoid leaving zombie processes when using spell checking (bug 4615).
• Fix crashes when using the dictionary refresh button in the prefs dialog.
• Sort the spell check dictionary list in the prefs dialog.
• Add a 'Search' menu item to the textview popup menu for quick search of any text in search results.
• Improve parsing of phonetic information, also allowing the /.../ format, used in the Jargon dictionary.
• Fix cut server responses when there is a leading number in the word definition (e.g. in 'moby-thes').
• When highlighting cross-references, ignore also {vr}
• Follow the 'Desktop Menu Specification' and change the category for the .desktop to 'Office'

Requirements:

• Xfce