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Sunday, 19th October 2003

Glossary Comes to All English Language Versions of Google

Web Search--Google
Glossary Comes to English Language Versions of Google
Today Google made its glossary "feature" available with all English language versions of the search engine. Google Glossary has been available on the Google Labs site since May of 2002. A direct link to a specialized interface remains available. So exactly what's new? Starting today, you can use the syntax define and (it works with or without the colon) to see if a "glossary" definition taken from open web content is available. If one is, you'll find it at the top of the results list. In addition to beginning a glossary search with the word define, as in define skyscraper, starting a search with "definition", "what is", and "what are" will also invoke a glossary lookup. If more than one definition is available, a link labeled "more definitions" will appear. Click the link to see all definitions. This is important because only one definition is listed on a results page. Like I said last December, critical information skills are a must when using Google Glossary. One of the definitions for CNN notes that it's owned by Ted Turner. It's not. CNN has been part of Time Warner since 1996. The entry for NBA (National Basketball Association) mentions that two Canadian teams will enter the league in 1995. Yes, that's correct but only one Canadian team remains. The database is also far from comprehensive, especially with abbreviations. The building next door to the White House is often referred to as the OEOB (Old Executive Office Building). A Google Glossary search turns up nothing. As do searches for CPO (chief petty officer), MLIS (Masters of Library and Information Science, ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), NHL (National Hockey League). I was also unable to find an entry for the term weblog. Finally, many definitions come from the WordNet database at Princeton University.

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