Lazy Dictionary Question

PGB1 · PGB1 #1 (**permalink**)

03-09-2010, 09:12 PM

Hi All
It seems my dictionary has gone on strike & I can't figure out how to get it working properly. (I nead it, as I cann nut spell guud)

I'll type in a word and click only to get a blank page. I'd understand obsucre words, but words such as "Stair" and "Firearms" and ""Empethay" show up as blank definitions. (There are many, many more.) They come up int he list, but no definition.

I've tried to re-order the two choices of sources in Preferences. ('Preferences"- Another word with no definition) I searched Help ("Help" shows a definition, but "Helper" does not) No luck. Do any of you have a clue as to what this is about?

Thanks,
Paul
PS: I have a 15" MBP with OSX 10.4.11

chas_m · chas_m #2 (**permalink**)

03-09-2010, 11:49 PM

Just to be clear, you are typing a word (it's "empathy" btw) such as "Firearms," then selecting the word, then right-clicking and selecting "Look Up in Dictionary," which then opens the Dictionary application?

Is that what you are doing?

toMACsh · toMACsh #3 (**permalink**)

03-10-2010, 08:44 AM

you might want to see if replacing the com.apple.Dictionary.plist file helps.

In my OS (10.5.8) that's found in Users/MyUserName/Library/Preferences
Find the file and drag it onto your Desktop
Now fire up Dictionary, which will then create a new plist file in Preferences

Is all well? If so, then you can Trash that file you placed on the Desktop.

PGB1 · PGB1 #4 (**permalink**)

03-13-2010, 09:21 PM

Thank You toMACsh!
I ditched the plist & now all is well in Dictionary-ville!
Paul

toMACsh · toMACsh #5 (**permalink**)

03-14-2010, 02:23 PM

You're quite welcome. Glad that did it.

chas_m #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 22, 2010 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 13,696 Mac Specs: 2009 MacBook Pro, Black speakers, Black Benq second monitor, black iPhone 4, Black 2012 iPad, etc.	03-09-2010, 11:49 PM Just to be clear, you are typing a word (it's "empathy" btw) such as "Firearms," then selecting the word, then right-clicking and selecting "Look Up in Dictionary," which then opens the Dictionary application? Is that what you are doing? Cheers, chas_m -- My essay for switchers and newbies
	QUOTE Thanks

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PGB1 #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 05, 2008 Location: Detroit Posts: 118 Mac Specs: Mac Book Pro 2.2 Ghz 2 GB RAM Running OSX 10.6.8	03-09-2010, 09:12 PM Hi All It seems my dictionary has gone on strike & I can't figure out how to get it working properly. (I nead it, as I cann nut spell guud) I'll type in a word and click only to get a blank page. I'd understand obsucre words, but words such as "Stair" and "Firearms" and ""Empethay" show up as blank definitions. (There are many, many more.) They come up int he list, but no definition. I've tried to re-order the two choices of sources in Preferences. ('Preferences"- Another word with no definition) I searched Help ("Help" shows a definition, but "Helper" does not) No luck. Do any of you have a clue as to what this is about? Thanks, Paul PS: I have a 15" MBP with OSX 10.4.11
	QUOTE Thanks

PGB1 #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 05, 2008 Location: Detroit Posts: 118 Mac Specs: Mac Book Pro 2.2 Ghz 2 GB RAM Running OSX 10.6.8	03-13-2010, 09:21 PM Thank You toMACsh! I ditched the plist & now all is well in Dictionary-ville! Paul
	QUOTE Thanks

toMACsh #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 30, 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4,801 Mac Specs: Mac Mini Core 2 Duo	03-14-2010, 02:23 PM You're quite welcome. Glad that did it.
	QUOTE Thanks

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