From: G6JPG@255soft.uk   
      
   On 2026/2/19 13:27:38, John C. wrote:   
   []   
      
   > Windows 10 does not have a single, universal dictionary application.   
   > Instead, it features a " Custom Dictionary" for spellcheck, accessible   
   > via Settings > Privacy > Inking & typing personalization > Custom   
   > dictionary, or a definition lookup tool within the Microsoft Edge   
   > browser (right-click a word > "Define".   
   >   
   > Here is where to find them:   
      
   Thanks for these.   
   >   
   > - System/Typing Dictionary (Personalized): To view or clear words you've   
   > added to your Windows dictionary, go to Settings > Privacy & security >   
   > Inking & typing personalization > Custom dictionary.   
      
   That was the only one I'd be worried about - I'm always wary of "add to   
   dictionary" (or, this being Microsoft, probably more likely "Add To   
   Dictionary" - they do love their "title case") type prompts, as it's so   
   easy to accidentally add a wrong thing, and then have little clue how to   
   undo it.   
      
   > - Microsoft Edge Dictionary: While reading in Edge (PDFs, Reading View),   
   > highlight a word and right-click to select Define to see definitions and   
   > synonyms.   
   > - Microsoft Word/Office Dictionary: If you are looking for the   
   > spellchecker dictionary, it is located within Word under File > Options   
   >> Proofing > Custom Dictionaries.   
   >   
   > Note: The main system dictionary is a binary file and cannot be manually   
   > edited, but the "Custom Dictionary" allows you to manage words you have   
   > previously added to the spellcheck dictionary.   
   > ______________________________________________________________   
   _________________   
   >   
   > I loath and refuse to use M$ Office programs of any kind, so on my   
      
   you can blame that keyboard again if you want to :-)   
      
   I use Office 2003 on the rare occasions when I want to create that sort   
   of document.   
      
   > system that last one isn't available. In fact, since I use Edge Blocker   
   > to hide that crappy M$ "Edge" browser, neither is the second one.   
      
   I used to mess about with assorted browsers; I just CBA these days.   
   Whatever it's collecting about me, there are far worse spies.   
   >   
   > For an actual dictionary that provides definitions, I use WordWeb:   
   >   
   >   https://wordweb.info/free/   
      
   Thanks, noted. (Though I'd probably use OED, Chambers, or Wiktionary.)   
   >   
   >> Oh, I wasn't expecting a full dictionary with definitions; it was just   
   >> that the behaviour when e. g. filling in a webform, and when composing   
   >> in Thunderbird, was so similar, that I thought they were using the same   
   >> software and file. But, as I've discovered in this thread, Thunderbird   
   >> at least is using its own dictionary. (I'm interested that you say   
   >> "indows 10" _does_ have one for autocorrect; where is it? And what uses   
   >> it? Not Notepad, as I discovered.)   
   >> []   
   >>   
   >>> To edit your personal dictionary in Thunderbird, open a new message   
   >>> "Write" window, click "Spelling," and select "Edit" in the personal   
   >>> dictionary area to remove or add words.  Alternatively, close   
   >>   
   >> Thanks - good to know that route!   
      
   Yes. I would have assumed that "Edit" was something to do with   
   correcting the currently-being-written text, not fixing the dictionary!   
   >>   
   >>> Thunderbird, locate the persdict.dat file in your profile folder (Help >   
   >>> More Troubleshooting Information > Open Folder), and edit it directly   
   >>> with a text editor.   
   >>>   
   >>> Methods to Edit Your Dictionary   
   >>>   
   >>> - Via the Compose Window (Easiest):   
   >>> 1. Click Write to start a new email.   
   >>   
   >> Or if you have the compose window open anyway (I just tried it while   
   >> composing this).   
   >>   
   >>> 2. Click the Spelling button in the toolbar (or right-click a word and   
   >>> select check spelling).   
   >>> 3. In the dialogue box, click Edit under the "Personal Dictionary" area.   
   >>> 4. You can then remove words or add new ones to your user dictionary.   
   >>>   
   >>> - Via the Profile Folder (Direct Edit):   
   >>> 1. Close Thunderbird entirely.   
   >>> 2. Go to the menu (≡) > Help > More Troubleshooting Information.   
   >>> 3. Under "Application Basics," click Open Folder (or "Show in Finder" on   
   >>> macOS).   
   >>> 4. Locate the file named persdict.dat.   
   >>> 5. Open this file with a text editor (like Notepad or TextEdit) to add,   
   >>> remove, or edit words manually.   
   >>   
   >> Or find it with Everything, if you have that (doesn't everybody!).   
   >>   
   >>>   
   >>> -Adding New Languages:   
   >>> If you need to change the dictionary language itself, navigate to   
   >>> Settings > Composition > Spelling to select or install new language   
   >>> dictionaries.   
   >>   
   >> Again, good to know. (Though I don't _think_ I'll be composing in   
   >> Thunderbird in other than English!)   
   >>>   
   >>> - Important Notes   
   >>> 1. You can only directly edit your personal dictionary, not the main   
   >>> application dictionary.   
   >>> 2. Ensure Thunderbird is closed before editing persdict.dat directly to   
   >>> avoid file corruption.   
   >>>   
   >>> HTH.   
   >>   
   >> It does.   
      
   --   
   J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf   
      
   As we journey through life, discarding baggage along the way, we should   
   keep an iron grip, to the very end, on the capacity for silliness. It   
   preserves the soul from desiccation. - Humphrey Lyttelton quoted by   
   Barry Cryer in Radio Times 10-16 November 2012   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)