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DICTIONARIES: SUBJECT-SPECIFIC


GENERAL

Alpha Dictionary
• Created by former CEO of yourDictionary.com
• Links to dictionaries, grammars, and other language resources
• Includes “Specialty Glossaries” section with more than 100 subject areas, including chocolate, computers-internet, cooking, education, environment, history, literature, and politics
• Provides language translation dictionary for 24 languages to and from English and language dictionaries for over 300 languages

yourDictionary.com
• More than 2,500 dictionaries and grammars in over 300 languages
• Includes glossaries for more than 100 specialty areas; notable specialties include accounting, cooking, food industry, law, marketing, textiles, and travel
• Links to an abbreviation and acronym dictionary, thesauri, and grammar/style guides


COMPUTING & THE INTERNET

BABEL: A Glossary of Computer Oriented Abbreviations and Acronyms
• Abbreviations and acronyms pertaining to personal computers, multimedia, communications, programming, and networking
• Includes terms used before 1965
• Appendixes feature examples of smileys (emoticons) and country domain names

Blogossary
• List of dozens of definitions for terms used in the blogosphere
• Updated by a blogger who maintains a variety of blogs

FOLDOC (Free On-line Dictionary of Computing)
• Compiled by Denis Howe in the Imperial College Department of Computing, London
• “Searchable dictionary of acronyms, jargon, programming languages, tools, architecture, operating systems, networking, theory, conventions, standards, mathematics, telecoms, electronics, institutions, companies, projects, products, history, in fact anything to do with computing”
• Over 14,000 entries
• Entries are cross-referenced to each other and to related internet resources
• Pronunciation is provided for some terms

Jargon File
• Based on Eric Raymond’s book The New Hacker’s Dictionary published by MIT Press
• “Comprehensive compendium of hacker slang illuminating many aspects of hackish tradition, folklore, and humor”
• Browsable and searchable

Language Dictionaries of Computing Terms
• Compiled by the Computing Services of Queen Mary, University of London
• Translates about 100 basic computer terms from English to French, German, and Spanish
• Doesn’t provide pronunciation

Netlingo.com
• Includes “thousands of definitions that easily explain the Internet and the online world of business, technology, and communication”
• Searchable and browsable
• Includes lists of “Acronyms & Text Messaging Shorthand”, “Smileys and Emoticons”, and “File Extensions”
• Provides cross-references

TechEncyclopedia
• More than 20,000 definitions of computer terms and concepts
• Searchable, but not browsable
• Provides thorough explanations, cross-references, illustrations, and pronunciations

Webopedia
• “Free online dictionary for words, phrases and abbreviations that are related to computer and Internet technology”
• Searchable and browsable by category, including communications, computer industry companies, graphics, hardware, internet, multimedia, operating systems, software, and wireless computing
• Provides links to other resources
• Updated frequently

Whatis.com
• Includes definitions of thousands of Internet and computer-related terms
• Searchable and browsable alphabetically and by category, including data management, mobile computing, networking, open source, and security
• “Fast References” section provides a range of information on the latest IT topics, such as chat abbreviations, digital signal multiples, logic gates, and mathematical symbols


CONVENTION INDUSTRY

APEX (Accepted Practices Exchange) Industry Glossary
• Created by the Convention Industry Council
• Includes almost 4,000 terms, acronyms and abbreviations related to the “meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry”
• Searchable and browsable by categories, such as “Accounting”, “Food and Beverage”, and “Marketing Materials/Printing”


EDUCATION

Glossary of Education Terms
• Small list of terms and abbreviations based on the Eye on Education program created by WGBH (Boston)

Glossary of Education Terms and Acronyms
• Created by the North Central (USA) Regional Educational Laboratory
• Small list of terms and abbreviations

Glossary of Instructional Strategies
• Compiled by PlasmaLink Web Services, a consulting firm
• Contains over 800 strategies and methods
• Last updated 2/04
• Browsable, but not searchable


ENGLISH

Acronym Finder
• Searchable database of more three million abbreviations and acronyms compiled by a software development consulting firm
• Content includes the most common abbreviations in the areas of business & finance, information technology, military & government, science & medicine, organizations & schools, and slang & popular culture

American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language
• Online version of the fourth edition of this dictionary originally published in 2000
• "Over 90,000 entries feature 10,000 new words and senses, 70,000 audio word pronunciations, 900 full-page color illustrations, language notes and word-root appendixes"
• Browsable (“Entry Index” link) and searchable by entry word and the full text of each entry
• Doesn’t offer alternatives for misspelled words

Common Errors in English
• Web version of Common Errors in English Usage by Paul Brians, Professor of English at the Washington State University
• Includes clear explanations and examples for hundreds of usage errors such as “a lot” vs. “alot”, “affect vs. “effect” and “who” vs. “whom”

Merriam-Webster Online
• Provides definitions for hundreds of thousands of entries based on the print version of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, Tenth Edition
• Browsable and searchable
• Includes Abbreviations, Foreign Words and Phrases, Biographical Names, and Geographical Names sections and 1,000 illustrations
• Offers alternatives for misspelled words
• Site also features a thesaurus and the new Merriam-Webster’s Open Dictionary, an ever-growing compilation of new words contributed by sites users


ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Terms of Environment: Glossary, Abbreviations, and Acronyms
• Created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• “Defines in non-technical language the more commonly used environmental terms appearing in EPA publications, news releases, and other Agency documents available to the general public, students, the media, and Agency employees”
• Includes abbreviations and acronyms
• Searchable and browsable


EQUESTRIAN

Anatomy and Physiology of a Horse
• Compiled by Equiworld magazine which bills itself as “the internet’s most extensive equestrian resource”
• Terms arranged by category: skeleton, muscle, and tendons and ligaments of the lower leg and include information on structure and function

Breeds and Types of Horse & Pony from Around the World
• Compiled by Equiworld magazine which bills itself as “the internet’s most extensive equestrian resource”
• Provides generous profiles of over 100 horses, each citing sources of information

Dictionary of Farrier Terms
• Abridged version of the New Dictionary of Farrier Terms and Technical Language, published by Dave Millwater Publishing
• Provides hundreds of definitions
• Browsable, but not searchable

Equine Multilingual Dictionary
• Provides translations for terms in English, French, Spanish, and Dutch
• Part of the Multilingual Vocabulary of the Horse 1997, 2nd abridged edition which includes over 2000 entries in each language

HorseData
• Web portal created by a group of equestrians enthusiasts from the United Kingdom which provides “a large database of equestrian suppliers, products, services and general information”
• Includes over 200 common equestrian terms


FASHION & TEXTILES

Apparel Search
• Created by the Apparel Search Company, which provides online resources to the apparel and textile industry
• Browsable list of hundreds of apparel-related terms
• Also includes links to other lists of terms, for example Dye & Dyeing Industry, Embroidery Industry, Fashion & Fashion History (click on “Miscellaneous Apparel Industry Terms” link), Sewing, and Warehousing

FabricLink
• FabricLink describes itself as "The Educational Resource for Fabrics, Apparel, Home Furnishings & Care"
•"Dictionaries" (located in the left column of the page) includes a "Textile Dictionary", a "Performance Fabric Glossary" and "Fabric-isms" (sayings containing fabric, apparel or textile terms)
• Site also features information on companies, trademarks and fabric care 

Textile Dictionary
• Created by the Internet Centre for Canadian Fashion and Design and currently sponsored by NTG Clarity Networks Inc.
• Includes sections on cotton, wool, silk, specialty, plant, and manmade fibers
• Provides information on fiber, weave, characteristics, and use of each type of material
• Browsable by type of fiber, but not searchable

Vocabulary of Basic Terms for Cataloguing Costume
• Created by the International Committee for the Museums and Collections of Costume
• Arranged by clothing category
• Entries include illustrations and alternate terminology
• Terms can be viewed in English, French, or Dutch


FOOD & DRINK

The Cook's Thesaurus
• Provides information on thousands of ingredients and kitchen tools
• Entries include pictures, descriptions, synonyms, pronunciations, and food substitutions
• Searchable and browsable by category

The Food Lover's Companion
• “Epicurious” site created by the publisher of Gourmet and Bon Appe?t?it magazines
• Searchable and browsable dictionary of more than 4,000 food terms
• Site also includes wine dictionary with more than 3,500 entries
• Entries provide pronunciations, descriptions, and synonyms

The Gastronomical Dictionary
• Created by Todine.net, publisher of an online restaurant guide
• Provides translation of hundreds of food terms in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish
• Not searchable, but browsable by food category: hors d’oeuvre, soups and pasta, vegetables, meats, fish, sauces, eggs, preserved meats, cheese, sweets, fruit, butter and sauces, herbs and spices, additional ingredients, and beverages

Glossary of Wine-Tasting Terminology
• Prepared and edited by Anthony Hawkins with sources cited
• Terms describe color/clarity, smell and taste of wine
• Includes cross-references

The “Living, Audio” Wine Dictionary
• Created by wine enthusiasts Art & Betsy Stratemeyer
• Part of a comprehensive site on wine which also includes extensive information regarding wine labels, wine and food pairings, tasting notes, and industry news
• Browsable, but not searchable, dictionary containing over 1060 words and 660 audible pronunciations

A Safe Food Supply: Glossary
• Compiled by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Economic Research Service
• Over 100 economic and medical terms defined
• Cites sources and includes some links to additional resources

Welcome to Gernot Katzer's Spice Pages
• Indexed alphabetically, geographically, morphologically, and by botanic structure
• Entries for over 100 spice plants include name in different languages, photographs, description, usage, origin, etymology, chemical composite, and sensory characteristics
• Includes a list of about 20 spice mixtures
• Provides information on additional print and web resources
• Website also viewable in German


FOOD SERVICE INDUSTRY

Chef Central
• “Glossary of terms” lists terms frequently used in the food service industry
• “Labels” section provides list of labeling terms defining “ingredients found in packaged foods and what they do”

FCSI (Foodservice Consultants Society International) Glossary of Industry Terms
• Alphabetical list of basic food industry terms


GAMBLING INDUSTRY

Gaming Today
• Created by the weekly publication Gaming Today
• Provides lists of definitions in the following areas: General Casino, Poker, Video Poker, Craps, Keno, Auto Racing, Horse Racing, and Sports Betting


LABOR RELATIONS

Glossary of Labor & Legal Terminology
• Provided by the University of Hawai'i - West O'ahu, Center for Labor Education and Research
• Includes about 100 terms

Labor-Management Relations Glossary
• Produced by the U.S. Government’s Office of Personnel Management
• Glossary of over a hundred terms
• Provides links to specific FLRA (Federal Labor Relations Authority) cases, U.S. Code, and the Code of Federal Regulations


LEGAL

Cardiff Index to Legal Abbreviations
• “This web-based service allows you to search for the meaning of abbreviations for English language legal publications, from the British Isles, the Commonwealth and the United States, including those covering international and comparative law. A wide selection of major foreign language law publications is also included.”
• Searchable by both title and abbreviation

Commonly Used Terms
• Short list of words often used in the United States Courts system

Everybody’s Legal Glossary
• Provided by Nolo Publishing, publisher of plain-English law and business resources
• Contains easy-to-understand definitions for hundreds of legal terms
• Searchable and browsable

Law.com Dictionary
• Dictionary based on The People's Law Dictionary by Gerald and Kathleen Hill
• Brief definitions with pronunciations for hundreds of terms
• Searchable by term or the full text of the definitions and browsable

One-L Dictionary
• Short list of basic law terms (less than 100) compiled by the Harvard Law School


LITERATURE

A Glossary of Literary Terms
• Created by a retired professor
• Definitions for over 75 literary terms
• Many entries have titles of examples of works illustrating the terms


MEDICINE

Deciphering Medspeak
• Compiled by the Medical Library Association
• Includes common medical terms, prefixes, and suffixes used by health professionals
• Provides a medical shorthand guide


MILITARY

DOD Dictionary of Military Terms
• Browsable edition of the DOD (U.S. Department of Defense) Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms, including acronyms and abbreviations and "NATO Only Terms"
• Compiled by the Defense Technical Information Center


MULTILINGUAL

Internet Picture Dictionary
• Multilingual picture dictionary designed especially for ESL students and beginning English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian language learners of all ages
• Able to search by word in various languages or browse pictures by letter or category; however, pictures are identified in only one language at a time
• Also offers learning activities, such as flashcards, fill-in-the-blanks, and word scrambles

Jennifer's Language Page
• Translates sixteen conversational words and phrases, such as “hello”, “good evening” and “I don’t understand”, into hundreds of languages
• Also provides links to dictionaries and other language resources

LOGOS Dictionary
• Multilingual dictionary with seven million words in over 200 languages
• Searchable by words and common phrases
• Each entry includes translations, images (from Google), context examples, and audio pronunciations

lexicool.com: Directory of Bilingual and Multilingual Dictionaries
• Compiled by an international group of linguists and IT specialists
• Provides links to over 4,000 bilingual and multilingual dictionaries and glossaries freely available on the Internet
• Covers 50 languages
• Searchable by language, subject, or title
• Features include a translator, language identifier, and currency converter

Multilingual Glossary of Technical and Popular Medical Terms in Nine European Languages
• Commissioned by The EuropeanCommission and executed by Heymans Institute of Pharmacology and Mercator School, Department of Applied Linguistics.
• Contains 1,830 technical and popular medical terms in eight of the nine official European languages: English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and Danish

WordReference
• Provides translations between English, French and Spanish; Spanish and Portuguese; English and Italian
• Website can be viewed in English, Spanish, or Italian


SOCIOLOGY

Glossary: Sociology
• Produced by the Nelson Thomson Learning Company
• Browsable list of brief definitions for hundreds of terms


STATISTICS

Statistics Glossary
• Created by StatSoft, a statistical software company
• Browsable list of hundreds of terms with cross-references

STATS@MTSU
• Created at Middle Tennessee State University
• Browsable list of over 100 definitions and formulas with some cross-references
• Some drawings and formulas where applicable

Statistics Glossary
• Created by Valerie J. Easton and John H. McColl at the Centre for Applied Statistics, Lancaster University, United Kingdom
• Browsable alphabetically and by categories, including Sampling, Probability, Design of Experiments and ANOVA, and Time Series Data
• Includes cross-references


SYMBOLS

Symbols.com
• Based on publication Symbols: Encyclopedia of Western Signs and Ideograms
• Contains more than 1,600 articles about 2,500 Western signs, arranged into 54 groups according to their graphic characteristics
• Browsable through graphic index and word index


TOURISM

Cultural Tourism
• Compiled by the MA Cultural Council
• Short list of tourism terms focusing on a local area's arts, heritage, recreational and natural resources

Cultural tourism
• Compiled by the TX Commission on the Arts
• List of over 50 tourism terms

Glossary of Terms
• Compiled by the National Tour Association
• Brief definitions of over 100 terms dealing with tours

Glossary of Tourism Terms
• Compiled by the Singapore Tourism Board
• Short list of terms which are cited

Trails Glossary and Acronyms
• Provided by the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism
• Glossary includes over 900 trail, greenway, and outdoor recreation terms
• Also provides a browsable list of over 275 commonly used acronyms


WEIGHTS & MEASURES

How Many?: A Dictionary of Units of Measurements
• Created by Russ Rowlett, Director of the Center for Mathematics and Science Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Includes all the units of the International System of Weights and Measures (SIPM); vast range of subjects include bushel weights, hat sizes and cotton bales
• Browsable by unit of measurement


Websites discussed on this page are for informational purposes only. Johnson & Wales University Library is not responsible for the accuracy, content, or stability of any websites linked to this page. When in need of legal, medical, or nutritional advice, consult a professional.

Compiled by Lisa Spicola 4/06; links last checked 09/07

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