Visual Thesaurus

The Visual Thesaurus® represents the marriage of Princeton University's WordNet (an online database that organizes some 50,000 words and 40,000 phrases into synonym sets) and ThinkMap's software, which its creators describe as "not primarily a data-visualization tool, but rather a data-animation tool." In addition to synonyms, the Visual Thesaurus shows seventeen kinds of semantic relationships. Think of this as a tool that can instantly display a word's semantic domain. Because of the intelligence of the ThinkMap software that drives it, the Visual Thesaurus® is far more helpful than Princeton's WordNet, and because of the inherent "semantic-domain" technology, this tool can take you way beyond a printed or standard computer-based thesaurus, such as the one that comes with Microsoft Word. The Visual Thesaurus® contains 145,000 English words and 115,000 meanings.

The Visual Thesaurus® is an interactive dictionary and thesaurus that creates word maps, which blossom with meanings and branch to related words. Its innovative display encourages exploration and learning. For example, if you enter the word "justify," the VT helps you find related words, from "apologize" to "correct" to "vindicate" to "warrant." The VT can help you discover—and learn—naturally and intuitively, find the right word, and write more descriptively. It also can help you gain a more precise understanding of the English language.

Hovering over a word with the mouse displays a pop-up definition of the word and an example or two of how the word is actually used.

Right clicking on a word displays a pop-up menu that allows you to act on the selected word in various ways.

Clicking any word in the display makes it the center word and displays its semantic domain.

The Visual Thesaurus® is available in a Desktop Edition and an Online Edition.

With both versions of the Visual Thesaurus, you can:

Find the right word. The VT has over 145,000 English words and 115,000 meanings. Find the word you need and discover related meanings.

•	Develop a better vocabulary. See how words are used in different parts of speech.

•	Use words precisely. The intuitive interface helps you find words through their semantic relationship with other words and meanings.

•	Master word usage. Roll over a meaning to see its definition and example sentences that express that meaning.

•	Improve your grammar. Meanings are color-coded to indicate parts of speech.

•	Explore 39,000 proper nouns. Historical figures, phrases and trademarks are included. Look up Mozart, Manda or simply, "M."

•	Check your spelling. The VT suggests a word if you spell it wrong.

•	Hear words pronounced correctly. The VT offers both American and British pronunciations (Internet connection necessary).

•	Personalize your experience. Use the Settings Panel to control font size, filter content, display up to 17 semantic relationships and more.

•	Browse language in 2D or 3D. Rotate word maps in three dimensions to reveal complex relationships.

•	Connect to the Internet. Right-click on any word to launch an Internet search for images or information.

With the Online Edition you also can:

•	Access the VT from anywhere. No software to install, access from virtually any computer with an Internet connection.

•	Email word maps to friends. Share your favorite words with friends and family.

•	Explore five additional languages. Search for words in Spanish, German, Italian French and Dutch, as well as English. (International features are still in beta)

•	Unlimited access to our magazine. Read features about language and the creative process and join a community passionate about words, language and creativity.

Pricing:

•	CD-ROM desktop version: $39.95.

•	Individual monthly online subscription: $2.95. Free, 14-day trial version available.

•	Individual annual online subscription: $19.95.Free, 14-day trial version available.

•	Group online subscription: $29.95/year. Free, 14-day trial version available.

•	Institutional subscriptions: Thinkmap will provide quotes.

Visit the site: http://www.visualthesaurus.com/

Purchase or subscribe: Visual Thesaurus.

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