How to use this dictionary
Once you have accepted the terms and conditions for the on-line version of Geiriadur yr Academi you will be able to search the on-line version free of charge.
Simple search
The fastest way to search for information in the dictionary is to type in an English word into the search box where it says “Type an English word here”, then press “Enter” (or the corresponding key on your keyboard), or click the “Search” button next to the search box. This will take you straight to the dictionary entry for which that word is its headword. If there is more than one entry with the same headword, all the entries sharing the same headword will be listed. Remember to use the scroll bar on the right hand side of your screen to scroll down to enable you to see the end of a long entry or entries.
Traditional and contemporary views
There are two ways to view the results, namely contemporary and traditional views. The traditional view shows the entry in concise form on the screen, with a layout that is closer to the print dictionary. The contemporary view shows the entry with each individual piece of information on a line of its own on screen, without being compressed. You can click on the radio button at the top of the entry to toggle easily between the two views.
Entries with a pink background and other imperfect entries
A pink background to an entry signifies that the entry build has not yet been completed, and that editing work is on-going. For these entries, only the traditional view is available, and the pink background warns that all the information will not correctly displayed. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause the reader, but work is ongoing to build these unfinished entries.
Some entries without a pink background may also display incorrectly. Usually this is caused by a piece of information having been input into the incorrect field. We ask you once again to be patient as the database is revised and updated.
Advanced Search
The Advanced Search feature allows you to search in a more detailed manner in the dictionary for specific words or phrases. Click on “Advanced Search” to open the advanced search box and view further options.
You can choose to search through the English Headwords or through the English Phrases (click on the down arrow next to the search box to change your option).
Advanced Search through the Headwords
When you have chosen to search through the English Headwords you may refine your search with one of three options:
• exact match
• begins with
• ends with
These options may be found in the drop-down menu to the right of the words “for entries that…” The first option (exact match) is similar to the simple search option, except that can use filters to refine your search. The other two options allow you to search for one letter, or a number of letters, at the beginning or end of a word. Once again it is possible to choose additional filters with these two options.
Choosing Filters
Filters allow you to restrict your search according to a specific domain or subject field, according to language register or geographic usage. Click on “Select Filters” to see the filter options on offer.
Subject field filters
The subject fields options are listed in the left hand column. As there so many abbreviations in this class in the original dictionary, they have been grouped together here under subject field categories. These have small boxes with containing a plus sign next to each one. Clicking them opens up further options, with an empty box next to each one. You can click in these boxes to select them (a tick will appear in the box) and you can click on as many as you wish to see the entries that include your search word with the subject field designation. Your search word will be highlighted in yellow within the relevant entry or entries if your search word has been found.
The plus symbol in the box next to the broad subject field will turn into a minus symbol when the narrower subject fields are displayed. To hide these narrower subject choices, click again on the minus symbol in the box. The narrower choices will disappear, and the symbol in the box will turn back into a plus symbol. Remember to uncheck any boxes that you don’t want to use for search purposes again before hiding them, or they will still be operational during your next search.
Language register and geographic usage filters
As these are not so numerous, they are all shown with tickboxes next to them to enable them to be selected. Once again it is possible to select more than one box at once. Note however that you will be less likely to obtain positive hits if you narrow your search too much. This is because the results returned contain all of your options (rather than ‘either or’). Remember also that you need to type a search word into the search box before you can use the filters or other advanced search features. Once again remember to uncheck any boxes that you don’t want to use for search purposes again before hiding them, so that they will not be operational during your next search.
Advanced Search through the English Phrases
If you select “English Phrases” (rather than “English Headwords”) in the Advanced Search box, you can search for English words in the body of the entries, as part of phrases or other combinations of English words. You will notice that the text in the box next to “for entries which…” has changed to “include the search word” because this is the only type of advanced search you are able to do within phrases. The search word will be highlighted in yellow in the body of the entry or entries as the results are shown on the screen.
Displaying more than one result on the same page
As some advanced searches may generate a large number of results, a limit is placed on how many results may be displayed at the same time. You may choose to display 5, 10 or 20 results on every page. Click on the down arrow next to “Show” to see the drop-down menu in order to select the number of results you wish to have displayed on any one page. If the results are numerous, a message will appear above the first results giving the number of pages of results found, the page currently displayed, and a “Next” button to allow you to move through the other pages.
Browsing the Dictionary
Instead of searching for a specific word or words in the dictionary, it is also possible to browse and click on a letter or headword to select an individual entry. You can click on any letter for the alphabet running along the top of the home page, and this will open a panel on the left hand side of the page, where a list of all the words beginning with that letter will appear. You can scroll up and down these words using the up and down arrows on your computer’s keyboard, or the wheel on your mouse or equivalent.
If you click on any word in the browsing list on the left, that word will be highlighted, and the entry for which it is a headword will appear. Once again you will be able to view the entry in traditional or contemporary view by clicking on the relevant button.
The wordlist on the left will also appear when you use the search feature. You may find this useful to see the headwords on either side of the headword for the entry you have been searching for, and see what comes before and after it in alphabetical order.
Further information
There is a great deal of useful background information in the pages found under the “Background” menu in the yellow ribbon at the top of every screen in the on-line dictionary. They include the Preface, How to Use the Dictionary, Acknowledgements, Abbreviations, Morphology of the Welsh Language and Bibliography, with most of these pages taken form the print dictionary.
To show one of these background pages, move your pointer over the “Background” section so that the drop-down section appears, then click on the page of your choice. You can return to search or browse the dictionary by clicking on “Search” in the yellow ribbon at the top of the page.