AppleScript Dictionary.app workaround

Dictionary.app does not have AppleScript support. This seems very odd to me, as it should be quite simple to add definition retrieval from anywhere through AppleScript this way. I am attempting to add this sort of functionality to iChat, but i'm having no luck. Does anybody know of a workaround for this problem? I tried to take a look at the Dictionary widget in Dashcode, but that seems to use some sort of specialized widget plugin. Any ideas would be great!

I have no idea how you plan on adding functionality to iChat, but Dictionary Services is a public API:
http://developer.apple.com/documentation/UserExperience/Conceptual/DictionarySer vicesProgGuide/access/chapter4_section_2.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40006152-CH5-DontLinkElementID4

Similar Messages

Look up in Dictionary.app

Is there any way to look up a word directly in Dictionary.app?
Control clicking a selected word, choosing "Look up..." brings up the definition(s) in a pop up window. Then clicking on "Dictionary" takes you to the Dictionary application... But I prefer the former (Snow Leopard) option of going directly to Dictionary.app
Can I get this back?

OK. Here's a service that reproduces the desired effect...
--Look up in Dictionary service script
on process(_selection)
     tell application "Dictionary"
activate
         open location "dict:///" & _selection
     end tell
end process
Save the above as an Applescript with name "Look up in Dictionary"
Pack up as a service with ThisService (available from http://wafflesoftware.net/thisservice/ )
Make sure it's checked in System Preferences/Keyboard/Keyboard Shortcuts/Services
Add shortcut CTRL + CMD + D (replacing the default "Look up...")
There you go! Gone is that lurid animation and pop-up window.

Problems with AppleScript Editor.app in Snow Leopard

I have been using the Satimage.osax scripting addition with Script Editor.app in Leopard without problem. After I upgraded to Snow Leopard, the Script Editor.app was replaced by AppleScript Editor.app in which the following one-line script
change "," into "." in "3,1416"
compiles without error but it gives an error when I try to run it: as if AppleScript Editor.app was not able to load the ScriptingAdditions (despite the fact that it correctly shows the dictionary for the Satimage.osax scripting addition).
When I decided to get back the old "Script Editor.app" and use it in Snow Leopard to run the above script, I found... no error! It ran correctly.
Anybody observed similar problems with the AppleScript Editor.app and ScriptingAdditions?
Can anybody offer a solution other than trash the new AppleScript Editor.app and stick to the old Script Editor.app?

Post to the AppleScript forum under OS X Technologies and send a message to Satimage.

TS1702 I downloaded a free Merriam-Webster dictionary app for use on my iphone 5. I thought I executed the steps to download it properly...I do see it in my App Store 'purchased' list, but I don't see it actually activated and ready for use anywhere...he

I downloaded a free Merriam-Webster Dictionary app for use on my iphone 5. I thought I followed the download process properly, but cannot see that the app is launched on my phone. I have checked my phone for 'updates' and the app is listed among the ones I have purchased. I clicked on it and it began installing, however, it still has not launched. I get a message screen to sign in with my Apple ID, which I tried, and I get the message that I have purchased this app and it will download. When I try to sign in, I get the message that it can't connect to the itunes store and to retry. I've done that several times without any luck...not sure where else to look for the 'working' app. I did try re-booting the phone...even did a 'hard reset' to no avail...help?

Anything* >.<

How can I change the size of Dictionary.app panel?

Hi!
I love quickly looking up words while working in applications such as Safar, Pages or Mail.
I go to Dictionary’s preferences and set the Context Menu option Dictionary.app - Open Dictionary panel.
But the size of the window pane is very small.
In Mac OSX 10.5 I did like this:
In Interface Builder.app open file /Applications/Dictionary.app/Contents/SharedSupport/DictionaryPanel.app/Content s/Resources/English.lproj/PopupWindow.nib and (⌘+3) set the width and height. The result:
!http://grab.by/1vHR!
In 10.6 I can not find the file PopupWindow.nib.
Where is it?

Hi, everyone, I have found the solution of this problem.
Step1: Go to Macintosh> System> Library> CoreServices> Find DictionaryPanel.bundle
Step2: Click it and Show Package Contents> Contents> Resources> English.lproj> DCSDictionaryPanel.nib> Show Package Contents> keyedobjects.nib
Now, you may find it's not editable, if you already know how to edit it, just skip this part
so, please regard to this website: http://www.macstories.net/tutorials/how-to-edit-nib-files-in-snow-leopard/
then, use Interface Builder to do whatever you want. Have fun.
FYI: If you don't know what Interface Builder is, it comes with Xcode that you can download it from apple website after registered as a developer.

Is there a way to upload a dictionary generated for the XOS Dictionary App to the hidden dictionary app of iPad or iPhone, respectively?

Dear All,
I started to generate on my MacBook, with the Tools provided with XCode 5, to generate a dictionary for the Dictionary App which runs fine on my Max OSX machines. Now I wonder if there is a way to upload the dictionary to the hidden dictionary app of iOS to use the dictionary on iPad and iPhone via the "define"-option of highlighted words. All of curse under the assumption both applications use the same dictionary formate, what I guess since both outputs look very similar. The hidden app of iOS downloads dictionaries somehow from iCloud as the cloud symbol suggests. But does anyone know how to upload dictionaries to there e.g. from a MacBook to be able to download it subsequently with iPad or iPhone in the "manage"-Mode of the hidden dictionary app?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions,
Juergen

SOLVED!!!!!
This is the app:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dictionary.appender/id650562573?mt=8
I emailed the maker of the app and he said to just follow these instructions:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4094
File share the .dictionary file to your ipad and then add it from the list of addable languages. It took a minute for it to show up on my ipad but it DID work. It is working with iBooks.
Happy reading.
Thanks for the help and suggestions.

Add a translation dictionary to Apple's in-build Dictionary App

Hey folks!
** I did not find the right community to ask this question, maybe you can guide me? **
I am coping with something annoying for a long time. Since english is not my mother tongue and I am doing studies in that language, I spend a lot of time searching for translations. Up to now, I am always switching between an internet translator tool and my document.
So, has anyone an idea about how to add a "translation dictionary to Apple's in-build Dictionary App"? I found other topic about this kind of question on the internet, but none of them is working. Either the website from which we are suppose to download the dictionary is expired or the downloading doesn't work (or maybe I am not able to follow the steps?).
Maybe someone knows a little bit more about it?
PS: In my case it would be a french-english dictionary
Thanks a lot for your help!
Valérian

If you have not already done so, see
http://m10lmac.blogspot.com/2013/01/adding-dictionaries-to-dictionaryapp.html
and
http://clasquin-johnson.co.za/michel/mac-os-x-dictionaries/index.html

Did anyone notice that scroll bar is not working properly in Dictionary.app?

after upgrading to Mountain Lion, I noticed that for dictionary.app 1) space/shift+space cannot be used to scroll the page 2) when I use arrow keys to do so, they are the opposite in direction to whatever works in other apps
does this happen to other people too?

Yes, I see this same behaviour. I had to look for it specifically though, because the way I use Dictionary.app means I've never had the need to scroll with the keyboard before.
Feel free to report it as a bug: http://bugreport.apple.com/ .

Chinese English dictionary.app

Hi guys,
Is there a way for me to have the builtin Chinese dictionary display definitions in English in addition to Chinese? It doesn't really make sense from language leaning perspective that an unfamiliar word is defined using the same language with other unfamiliar words, I wish apple allows us to choose the builtin dictionaries. Is there a way to edit the dictionary.app so that the Chinese dictionary carries English definitions as well?

You can ask Apple to add new features via
http://www.apple.com/feedback
For adding new dictionaries, see
http://m10lmac.blogspot.com/2013/01/adding-dictionaries-to-dictionaryapp.html

Applescript compiles .app as directory why

OS 10.6.8 with the latest patches
AppleScript Editor 2.3
AppleScript 2.1.2
On 12/1/2012 compiled AppleScripts as app (application) and output was a single file with the extension .app. Today the same compiled script yields a directory of files none of which has the extension .app. In fact, in the Finder you will see ScriptName.app. But in Terminal you will see the that what Finder told you was a file is in fact a directory ending in .app.
This is the snapshot of my ls command result in Terminal.
drwxr-xr-x 3 jchiko staff
102 Jan 1 18:13 Open • Collection.app
-rw-r--r--@ 1 jchiko staff 5290 Jan 1 18:05 Open • Collection.scpt
A month ago "Open • Collection.app" was a file. Now it is directory and can not be executed from AppleWorks script menu because the file is a directory and not a file.
What is causing my AppleScript Editor to generate .app files as directories of files?

I stumbled upon the answer. Under the latest version of Snow Leopard (10.6.8) AppleScript saves the application as a bundle. In other words, former versions of AppleScript saved the compiled application as a single file. Now it is saved as a directory of files and folders. Unfortunately, this breaks AppleWorks Script Menu. I guess I answered my own question.

Why do I get this message "please contact iTunes support to complete this transaction" when I try to gift "Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary" app?

Why do I get this message "please contact iTunes support to complete this transaction" when I try to gift "Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary" app?

I have been getting the same message as well on any transactions I have tried to place. I attempted to contact iTunes support, but was only allowed to leave an email regarding this problem. I will keep you posted if I hear anything.

Whats happened to applescript runner app in 10.9

My applescripts wont run under Mavericks because they are calling for Applescript Runner App which does not appear to exist in 10.9.
How do you call a script from within a script without this ?

Here is the solution that worked for me.
AppleScripts which require user interaction are going to need specific permission to control your computer.
So instead of
<key>ProgramArguments</key> <array> <string>osascript</string> <string>/path_to_do script.app</string> <string>/path_to_sourcefile.scpt</string> </array>
save the /path_to_sourcefile.scpt as a compiled Applescript and change the above key-value pairs to
<key>ProgramArguments</key> <array> <string>osascript</string> <string>/path_to_sourcefile.app</string> </array>
and StartCalendarInterval key so launchd will run the target AppleScript while you are sitting in front of your computer.
When launchd attempts to initiate the program in question, an alert will pop up that says
"path_to_sourcefile.app" would like to control this computer using accessiblity features.
Grant access to this application in Security & Privacy preferences, located in System Preferences.
When you open the System Preferences > Security & Privacy pane, "path_to_sourcefile.app" will be listed with an unchecked box to its right. Check the box and the next scheduled run of your launchd event will be able to run the "path_to_sourcefile.app".
Good luck!

How can i use the russian alphabet so i an use my new Russian dictionary app?

Please does someone know how I can turn on the russian alpabet on my phone so I can muse my new Russian dictionary app? Many thanks.
RozBox

Settings>General>Keyboard>Keyboards>Add Keyboard.
Once you've added an additional keyboard, a key with a globe icon will appear on your keyboard. Switch between keyboards by tapping it.

Starting an applescript studio app

I have written an applescript. I want to incorporate it into an applescript studio app........mainly to make use of the progress bar indicator. How do I get the script to start without having to click on any buttons. Thanks.

Hook up your window (or the progress indicator) to the "awake from nib" handler in Interface Builder and insert your existing applescript code into the "on awake from nib theObject" handler that gets created in the AS Studio script.
Steve

Control-command-D and Dictionary.app discrepancy

I often use control-command-D with Safari to get definitions of words I find on web pages. I always thought that the dictionary used by control-command-D was the same one used by Dictionary.app.
But increasingly I am finding words that are in Dictionary.app aren't in the dictionary used by control-command-D (see the screen shot below), so I guess there is more than one dictionary. Can anyone point me to where in OS X the dictionary file for control-command-D resides? Is there any way to make it consistent with the one used by Dictionary.app? Thanks.

It's either a defined subset of the dictionary used in Dictionary.app or an entirely different dictionary. I'd like to know which one it is if possible, and where in the system it is stored.
More words in Dictionary.app but missing from command-control-D, from the same Wikipedia page,
are infallibility, inherently, and nonexistence. Interestingly, Gnosticism has a command-control-D definition, while Agnosticism does not, despite both having an entry in Dictionary.app.
Even more interesting: Typing nonexistence in the field right now resulted in Safari underlining it as a misspelling. Safari didn't do that for infallibility or inherently. Same thing in TextEdit - nonexistence was underlined; inherently was not. So that suggests a third dictionary or third defined subset - the one used by applications for spell checking.
This is getting stranger all the time...

AppleScript Dictionary.app workaround

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