Utilities: Multidef
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Multidef is a utility Application and Service for looking up the definitions of multiple words at one time and displaying the cumulative results in a single, editable window which can be copied to the clipboard or saved to a file. Install the application into your Applications folder and launch it to activate the service it provides. (You may need to select the service in Services preferences.) The service works on any text selection in any application that provides text on the clipboard.
Here is an example definition lookup on the four words "keep simple things around" simultaneously, provided as a text selection from another application via the Services menu command or application contextual menu item named "Get Multi-Word Definitions":
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Of course you can also copy and paste or type the query directly into the query text view at the top of the split pane. The results are placed in the results text view at the bottom of the split pane.
The dictionaries used are the same available to Dictionary. This functionality is available either as a standalone application or through the service it provides for text selections in other applications.
Use the "Preferences" menu item in the application (Multidef) menu (or button) to specify various options:
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Use the "online resource" buttons "Dictionary.com" or "Wikipedia.org" to lookup the terms in a self contained web window:
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Use the "Save" button to save the results pane to a rich text document you can view in TextEdit or QuickLook:
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Use the "Clipboard" button to place all the results text onto the clipboard.
System requirements: Mac OS X 10.6 and above.