dictionary.com as a StarDict dictionary

Here we go: dictionary.com-5.5.2_08-08.ifo (1 kb) dictionary.com-5.5.2_08-08.idx.gz (2.75 mb) dictionary.com-5.5.2_08-08.dict.dz (47.6 mb) Word entries : 439,676 Definitions: 149,135

This is a 2.4.2 compliant StarDict dictionary, meaning that it should work pretty much anywhere. 

Version 2.4.2 of the StarDict format doesn't support the synonyms file, nor does it support multiple definitions for the same word. To get around this restriction, I put all the definitions one after another for a same word.

For example, instead of having 3 different entries for 'fan' like so:

1. any device for producing a current of air
2. an enthusiastic devotee
3. one of the long, sharp, hollow or grooved teeth

there will be only one entry 'fan', with 3 sub-definitions like that :

1. 1.fan
   any device for producing a current of air...
   --
   2. fan
   an enthusiastic devotee..
   --
   3. fan
   see Fang..

Doesn't change much right?

All of the synonyms, different spellings and stuff for 'fan' will point to this single big ass definition.

You can use this dictionary on your desktop computer using GoldenDict:

GoldenDict

And of course this will work on many eBook readers that supports StarDict dictionaries. Like the Onyx Booxes where it's natively supported. Works on PocketBooks although with KOReader as native dictionary is for the shit Lingvo format. Which is the reason I did all of this.


Wanna know how I did all of this?

• First I tried to do this. But this failed miserably.
  The XDXF -> ABBY Lingvo converter was the last straw, and I gave up.
  
• After many months, I got pissed again, just like last time.
  Except that since I was using KOReader, I could try something new: converting dictionary.com as a StarDict dictionary.
  
• Which I did. With success this time.
  Head there over GitHub for the source code.

The converter in action

Enjoy before this whole shit gets taken down!
╯°□°）╯︵ (~ .o.)~

Change of plans: forget XDXF and Lingvo dictionaries -> use StarDict

Yep.

I just saw that KOReader supports StarDict dictionaries. That's a good news since the previous converter had limitations and I just couldn't convert my 700mb XDXF to the Lingvo format without loosing too much stuff.

So, change of plans. Let's convert dictionary.com to a StarDict format that can be then read by KOReader on my PocketBook.

And... I'm almost there. StarDict files are all created and it works \o/
I just need to add the synonyms, either by using a .syn file or by adding the synonyms as regular word entries. Not sure yet.

Anyway I deleted my old project DictionaryDotComToXdxf from GitHub.
Instead, let me introduce offline_dictionary.com.

Early version

And it works using StarDict 3.0.4 rev 10.

When I'll be satisfied of my StarDict version of dictionary.com I will post it here, and spread it around the world I guess.