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Installing Dictionaries

Installation on Macintosh 10.5

With Mac OS 10.5 or newer, you may use Apple's own Dictionary program.

  1. Download the dictionary file(s):
  2. Unzip and unpack the downloaded file by doubleclicking. The result is a file that looks like a lego block:
    Dictionary files and their icons
  3. Move the unzipped lego block to your ~/Library/Dictionaries folder (create it if it is missing). Note that Library can also read Bibliotek, Kirjasto or something else depending on your language preferences in the OS.

You're done!

Using the dictionary

In order to use the dictionary, you just point the cursor at the word you want to translate, and press the relevant key combination. The default key combination is ctrl-command-D (⌃⌘D). If you would like something else, you can change the key combination in System settings - Keyboard and mouse - Keyboard shortcuts > Search with Dictionary.
Dictionary pop-up window when using lookup by pointing

You can also look up words using the application Dictionary, found in your Applications folder (the application has a different name in some languages - the icon looks like a printed dictionary).
Dictionary application icon

There are already several dictionaries installed, English and Japanese dictionaries come wth the system. In the Preferences pane you can turn on and off the dictionaries you want, or change the search order of the dictionaries. Just drag the dictionaries into the preferred order.
The preference pane of the Dictionary application