# Not a dictionary, not a thesaurus, but a..
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-dictionary-not-a-thesaurus-but-a/167878
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [April 10, 2003, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-dictionary-not-a-thesaurus-but-a/167878 "2003-04-10T20:17:24Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Iteki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iteki)
#### Post date: [April 10, 2003, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-dictionary-not-a-thesaurus-but-a/167878/1 "2003-04-10T20:17:24Z")
I would imagine there are books that gather groups of similar words. I don’t mean synonyms, but rather where you could get the names or words for 100 types of headgear, or footware etc.
So I could look up “shoes” and get back:
Shoes, boots, booties, pumps, slippers, clogs, etc.
What would you call this type of book, and can anyone suggest an online resource? I need to get lots of different words for things you wear on various body part s(including say, “necklace, ruff, collar, tie” for kneckwear for example) for a “Rename Generator” for my roleplaying game.
Thanks in advance, I am sure there is something like this out there, there seem to be bazillions of types of “word books”.
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### Author:  [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)
#### Post date: [April 10, 2003, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-dictionary-not-a-thesaurus-but-a/167878/2 "2003-04-10T20:33:57Z")
Maybe [this](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0062731319/ref=pd_sim_books_3/002-5278613-2936013?v=glance&s=books) is what you seek.
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### Author:  [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)
#### Post date: [April 10, 2003, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-dictionary-not-a-thesaurus-but-a/167878/3 "2003-04-10T20:34:11Z")
That still sounds like a thesaurus, just a rather unconventional one
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### Author:  [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)
#### Post date: [April 10, 2003, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-dictionary-not-a-thesaurus-but-a/167878/4 "2003-04-10T20:36:56Z")
Seems to me what you’d want is a [synonym finder](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0446370290/ref=ase_carlassecretapag/103-9295214-8578265). Would that help?
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### Author:  [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)
#### Post date: [April 10, 2003, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-dictionary-not-a-thesaurus-but-a/167878/5 "2003-04-10T20:42:14Z")
How about a Crossword Puzzle Dictionary?
Ed
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### Author:  [@bradwalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bradwalt)
#### Post date: [April 10, 2003, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-dictionary-not-a-thesaurus-but-a/167878/6 "2003-04-10T20:50:46Z")
I know _exactly_ what you’re talking about - not “synonyms” but finding words that belong in a set, they may be tied to each other by an unstated connection - like “Things that you postpone”. (Watch the game show “Pyramid”) .
Google “Labs” has a tool called “Google Sets” which is kind of fun to play with:
[http://labs.google.com](http://labs.google.com) (andclick on “Google Sets”).
Type in several elements in a set, and it returns a list of commonly-associated words. Example: type “paper clips, rubber bands, staples” and get a whole list of things you might buy at OfficeMax!
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### Author:  [@Iteki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iteki)
#### Post date: [April 10, 2003, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-dictionary-not-a-thesaurus-but-a/167878/7 "2003-04-10T21:01:33Z")
Exactly! Google sets is what I looked at before, but it doesn’t give me quite the extent I need 🙂
_ **However** _, wanting to be sure that a synonym dictionary wasn’t what I was looking for, I googled for one just now, before I came back in saying “Naw, that ain’t it”, and I learned of a whole load of other -nyms. I knew of some of them, but Hyponymn was a whole new kettle of fish for me 🙂
I present to you, [hyponyms for headgear](http://www.cogsci.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/webwn1.7.1?stage=2&word=headgear&posnumber=1&searchtypenumber=-3&senses=&showglosses=1).
I answered a GQ! Go me 🙂
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### Author:  [@Iteki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iteki)
#### Post date: [April 10, 2003, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-dictionary-not-a-thesaurus-but-a/167878/8 "2003-04-10T21:17:01Z")
Forgot to mention, that site also has the option of lots of other -nyms, and also “coordinate terms” which is very useful.
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### Author:  [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)
#### Post date: [April 10, 2003, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-dictionary-not-a-thesaurus-but-a/167878/9 "2003-04-10T21:19:40Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by JuanitaTech \*
> \*\*Maybe [this](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0062731319/ref=pd_sim_books_3/002-5278613-2936013?v=glance&s=books) is what you seek. \*\*
Wow! Written by a former senator from California, no less.
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### Author:  [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)
#### Post date: [April 10, 2003, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-dictionary-not-a-thesaurus-but-a/167878/10 "2003-04-10T21:48:02Z")
The original Roget’s Thesarus gives you exactly the type of lists that you ask for.
231.60 - shoes
arctics
ballet shoes or slippers
booties
bootikins
boots
brogues, brogans
and on and on
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### Author:  [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)
#### Post date: [April 10, 2003, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-dictionary-not-a-thesaurus-but-a/167878/11 "2003-04-10T21:58:26Z")
That is a thesaurus…at least the older 60s-70s roget’s worked in this regard. The point of a thesaurus, at least for me, is not a simple synonym finder, but a book which puts groups of similar words together, whether those words be synonyms, near-synonyms or specifics in a category, such as your example.
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### Author:  [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)
#### Post date: [April 10, 2003, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-dictionary-not-a-thesaurus-but-a/167878/12 "2003-04-10T22:09:43Z")
Iteki and bradwalt, those are very cool links.
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### Author:  [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)
#### Post date: [April 10, 2003, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-dictionary-not-a-thesaurus-but-a/167878/13 "2003-04-10T22:16:39Z")
This has been a fabulous resource:
[Random House Word Menu.](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0375700838/qid=1050013125/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/104-5159367-7764732)
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### Author:  [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)
#### Post date: [April 11, 2003, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-dictionary-not-a-thesaurus-but-a/167878/14 "2003-04-11T02:23:15Z")
I concur the Word Menu is what you are looking for.
If you’re going to check out the hyponym link, I suggest you start [here.](http://www.cogsci.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/webwn)
Peace.
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### Author:  [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)
#### Post date: [April 11, 2003, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-dictionary-not-a-thesaurus-but-a/167878/15 "2003-04-11T04:19:40Z")
In addition to the above, check out a _visual dictionary_ at your bookstore. Some are better than others, but they provide a good way to identify the exact object you are seeking, rather than getting a description of an object that may be confusing.
Three that I have (all of which have good and bad points) are:
The Facts on File **Visual Dictionary** by Jean-Claude Corbeil, Facts on File Publications
Dorling Kindersley **Ultimate Visual Dictionary** , Dorling Kindersley
**What’s What** A visual glossary of everyday objects–from paper clips to passenger ships, Reginald Bragonier, jr. and David Fisher, Ballantine Books
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### Author:  [@universe.zip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/universe.zip)
#### Post date: [April 11, 2003, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-dictionary-not-a-thesaurus-but-a/167878/16 "2003-04-11T10:20:42Z")
The technical term for what you are looking for is “semantic field”. If you google that, you´ll find even more (though a thesaurus should be quite enough).
[This one](http://www.eng.umu.se/city/weronica/etymology/etymologytable.htm) is a nice illustration of the concept.
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### Author:  [@prisoner6655321](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/prisoner6655321)
#### Post date: [April 11, 2003, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-dictionary-not-a-thesaurus-but-a/167878/17 "2003-04-11T23:12:15Z")
> [@](#):
>
> originally posted by pulykamell
> That is a thesaurus…at least the older 60s-70s roget’s worked in this regard. The point of a thesaurus, at least for me, is not a simple synonym finder, but a book which puts groups of similar words together, whether those words be synonyms, near-synonyms or specifics in a category, such as your example.
You need to look at Roget’s **21st CENTURY** Thesaurus. THIS Roget’s Thesaurus has two parts. The thesaurus part and the category part. DEFINATELY check it out. It is EXACTLY what you are wanting.
> [@](#):
>
> [From Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0785704515/ref=pm_dp_ln_b_6/104-5477546-7434353?v=glance&s=books&vi=reviews)
> Roget’s is probably as popular a name for lending authority to thesauruses as Webster’s is for dictionaries. Although this new version is not the direct descendant of the original, it follows the now-popular dictionary format for its 17,000 main entries ( abandon - zoom ) and provides other innovations as well. The part of speech, very brief definition, synonyms (over 450,000), and references to an 837-term Concept Index are indicated for each entry. Words in the Concept Index are **arranged under categories** , e.g., actions, causes, and objects, and assist in generating alternative word choices through meaning to word searches. Antonyms are not included, but synonyms representing nonstandard usage are noted. The lexicographer-author’s selections reflect contemporary usage, gender sensitivity, and recently evolved words. This current and uncomplicated thesaurus is highly recommended for all libraries.
>
> - Stanley P. Hodge, Ball State Univ. Lib., Muncie, Ind.
Roget’s Thesaurus is my most prized writing aid. Highly recommended. I can usually find the word I am looking for within a couple of minutes. And I owe it all to it’s “concepts” or in yourspeak categories. Sorry, I couldn’t find an online version, but it sure is a great thing to have anyway.
[Buy.com is cheaper than Amazon](http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=30921777&loc=106)
Unfortunately, I tried neckware with my 10 year old version and didn’t really find much. The concept it associated collar with was accessory or part, not neckware. But clothing was in a neighboring concept, which did give more choices, but none you would wear around your neck. But I do have an old version of the book. The new one surely has more.
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### Author:  [@TlighT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TlighT)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2003, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-dictionary-not-a-thesaurus-but-a/167878/18 "2003-04-12T16:04:36Z")
This one is not a book, but a computer program that will do that for you is [WordNet](http://whatisthematrix.warnerbros.com/rl_cmp/trailer_final_1000.html).
You can download this program or try the [online version](http://www.cogsci.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/webwn). You can type in the word there and then search for its hyponyms, which is the linguistic term for the type of relationship you’re looking for (there are other ones like hypernyms, meronyms, holonyms, etc).
For example, [here](http://www.cogsci.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/webwn1.7.1?stage=2&word=shoes&posnumber=1&searchtypenumber=-3&senses=&showglosses=1) are the hyponyms for the word “shoe”.
I have used this program extensively for my thesis research project (part of it dealt with calculating the semantic similarity between word pairs).
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### Author:  [@TlighT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TlighT)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2003, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-dictionary-not-a-thesaurus-but-a/167878/19 "2003-04-12T16:07:42Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by TlighT \*
> \*\*This one is not a book, but a computer program that will do that for you is [WordNet](http://whatisthematrix.warnerbros.com/rl_cmp/trailer_final_1000.html).
>
> You can download this program or try the [online version](http://www.cogsci.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/webwn). You can type in the word there and then search for its hyponyms, which is the linguistic term for the type of relationship you’re looking for (there are other ones like hypernyms, meronyms, holonyms, etc).
>
> For example, [here](http://www.cogsci.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/webwn1.7.1?stage=2&word=shoes&posnumber=1&searchtypenumber=-3&senses=&showglosses=1) are the hyponyms for the word “shoe”.
>
> I have used this program extensively for my thesis research project (part of it dealt with calculating the semantic similarity between word pairs). \*\*
I seem to have pasted the wrong url from the clipboard :smack: You can find the WordNet program [here](http://www.cogsci.princeton.edu/~wn/)
(why can’t I edit my own posts?)
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### Author:  [@tonbo0422](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tonbo0422)
#### Post date: [April 12, 2003, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-dictionary-not-a-thesaurus-but-a/167878/20 "2003-04-12T16:17:09Z")
Umm, yes . . . we like the Matrix, but . . . Keanu Reeves must die.
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