Epub dictionaries

[Hadrien]

Stanza supports dictionnary lookup in ePub books. Wrong name for this thread, "Adobe Digital Editions & dictionnary support" is what you're talking about.

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by Jaime_Astorga

I usually eschew using dictionaries while reading, whether physical books or eBooks, in favor of figuring out the meaning of the word from context. I am much more likely to do a quick dictionary search while writing, to double check a word means what I think it means.

Same here. I don't check dictionaries while reading (fiction, mostly) since I find it distracting. Easier for me to figure out the meaning from context. However, it would be nice if the option was there.

[Sweetpea]

I agree with ErwinOtten. English isn't my native language and there are some words that will just won't become really clear in context (it took me a while to figure out what "dapper" meant, especially as it means "brave" in Dutch, for example).

Also, one of my English teacher once told me that to look something up is the best way to learn a word. So, I still do.

[sirbruce]

If you'd asked me before I got my Kindle, I would have said the dicitonary lookup wasn't a big feature for me either. But since having it I've used the dictionary probably more than the wireless on my Kindle. It's just so darned convenient to look up an unfamiliar word instantly rather than trying to puzzle it out from the context (and perhaps getting it wrong).

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by Hadrien

Stanza supports dictionnary lookup in ePub books. Wrong name for this thread, "Adobe Digital Editions & dictionnary support" is what you're talking about.

So does FBReader, or so I've been told. Does Stanza support epub format dictionaries or simply dictionary lookup? I want support for dictionaries in epub format.

[emai7s2]

Dictionary support would definitely be a plus, but it's not a deal breaker. Screen clarity, format support and battery life are all higher on the list.

[John F]

Would I use it if I had it, probably yes, but I would guess I would use it infrequently (maybe once or twice a book). It isn't a deal breaker for me.

Maybe I woulkd appreciate it more if my reader had it, but without a touch screen, I'm not sure I would like the interface.

[David Munch]

Originally Posted by ErwinOtten

Since 90% of the ebooks I read are in English and that isn't my primary language, YES I do want dictionary support.

What he said.

[mjh215]

I would like dictionary lookup. When I saw the 700 I assumed that it would have it, I'm still dumbfounded that it doesn't have it. I hope future generations of readers have it for epub. It was the thing I liked most about my son's EBW1150...

-MJ

[mgalactico]

To paraphrase radio show callers: 'Long time reader, first time submitter.'
I would not even consider an e-Reader without an integrated dictionary. I think it is required functionality, not an option. Currently I am reading Moby Dick through DailyLit (www.dailylit.com - Usual Disclaimer) in my laptop while using Outlook. It is incredibly enjoyable being able to lookup a work without changing applications or pages.

[GJN]

And I'm anxiously waiting for foreign language dictionaries so I can read some French and German classics on my reader.

[TheRealBillc]

I really want a dictionary and was hoping that my Sony PRS 700 would get a software upgrade to provide one, but so far, nothing. I am a voracious reader who has a fairly good vocabrulary, much better than I'll ever need for every day conversation or business, but I still find words I don't know in fiction books that I would like to look up on the spot. My next reader has to have a dictionary.

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

So does FBReader, or so I've been told. Does Stanza support epub format dictionaries or simply dictionary lookup? I want support for dictionaries in epub format.

Some versions of FBReader have dictionary support on a few device types. OpenInkPot plans to add support for dict.dz dictionaries for all its readers.

The Stanza dictionary support seems to be new, and is apparently via web lookup.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by pking36330

Dictionary support will be a Primary factor in my selection of an e-Reader. While I'm not fond of Amazon's trend toward a closed-market approach, their dictionary feature makes the K2 and Kdx very desireable in my view. In fact, if the new Sony device this summer/fall doesn't have dictionary support, I'll be a Kindle owner.

If Adobe supports dictionary capabilities, I'll be inclined to use their products, otherwise not. Can't say I wouldn't ever buy in that format, but given the choice of purchasing in a format that supports dictionary lookup (ePub) and one that doesn't (Adobe), I'd pick the one that does even if it required a 10-15% premium. I'm just one of those readers that likes a dictionary because I purposefully select books to expand me and introduce concepts and words I don't already know.

So you'll stick with Amazon when the rest of the world is going ePub?

[ruth1304]

I can't remember the last time I looked something up in a dictionary. I suppose I might use the facility if it was there but it's highly unlikely. However, everyone's different and the advantage of ebooks is that they do more than pbooks. I can see why people would think having a built in dictionary is logical even though it wasn't a factor for me when I was choosing a reader.