LAW PUNDIT Thursday, October 23, 2003 10/23/2003 01:16:00 PM [Home]
Google's new Command - Define:
Via TVC Alert from Genie Tyburski at the Virtual Chase I find at Aaron Swartz's Google Weblog that: "Google Glossary has gone live on the main Google site. Do a search for something like define elephant or define dna and you get back a definition with your search results. Search for define: dna or click 'more results' to see the rest of the definitions."
I find that only the command "define with a colon", i.e.
define:
actually works - but I am in Germany, maybe it works otherwise elsewhere.
Entering that command in Google gives a fixed list of definitions of a given term on the web,
e.g. "define: boilerplate", gives us the following list:
Standardized "fine-print" language in a contract or other agreement detailing terms and conditions.
www.onlinewbc.gov/docs/starting/glossary.html
A boilerplate document is created in word processing by assembling previously existing documents. Many routine business letters and contracts are assembled from boilerplate paragraphs.
www.oznet.ksu.edu/ed_asi490/Glossary/cgw.htm
Form language used in deeds, mortgages and other documents. Details can be added by individual parties.
www.lakeplacidrealestate.com/glossary.html
Standard language in a contract.
www.underdown.org/cigglossary.htm
Standard language that businesses routinely include in contracts. The other party to the agreement can sometimes negotiate to change or remove such provisions.
www.brownfieldscenter.org/big/glossary.shtml
The language section of a bill or public act. With regard to an appropriation bill or act, typically provides for legislative intent or further legal clarification of the line-item appropriations. Boilerplate can also refer to the standardized or pro forma language that is used at the front of the bill or statute.
www.michigan.gov/printerFriendly/0,1687,7-157--32835--,00.html
A term used to describe the standard terms and conditions on a purchase or other contract document.
elmo.shore.ctc.edu/jbaker/glossery.htm
Boilerplate is legal jargon for the form language used in deeds, mortgages and other documents. The boilerplate language is usually preprinted on the document itself; details are added by the individual parties.
www.kcbor.com/glossary_-_b.html
Reports, form letters, and other prewritten documents that can be coordinated with mailing lists and other variable information to produce personalized hard-copy output.
www.indstate.edu/cape/glossary.html
Standard and essential contract terminology and clauses that are not subject to frequent change. Use of the term can be dangerous because it may lull contract parties into thinking they need not read the clauses, assuming no changes from previous contracts, or assuming the data are not significant.
www.dhs.state.or.us/admin/ois/pmo/publications/pmo_glossary.html
Standard wording (for example, sentences or paragraphs in form letters or clauses in legal documents) that is held in storage. When needed, it can be used as is, with minor modification, or in combination with new material to produce tailor-made documents.
www.unm.edu/cirt/ais/docs/stdglossary.htm
Standard copy that may be inserted in reports, foundation proposals, and other documents since it is unchanging and generally timeless. Also refers to legal forms which attorneys may use with standard situations. Topic areas:Fundraising and Financial Sustainability
www.nonprofitbasics.org/TopicAreaGlossary.aspx
from m-w.com: syndicated material supplied especially to weekly newspapers in matrix or plate form standardized text formulaic or hackneyed language
www.viptx.net/orientation/glossary.html
A colloquialism, used to identify standard terms and conditions incorporated in solicitations, contracts, or purchase orders.
www.jblk.com/sam/frm_word.htm
A standard publishing contract, with no changes or addenda made by the writer or agent. The boilerplate should be considered a starting point only; usually changes will be made.
www.thescriptorium.net/glossary.html
A standard text component of a document that requires few or no changes.
www.carolla.com/glossary.html
the standard terms and conditions on a purchase order, agreement or contract
www.co.la.ca.us/doing_business/definitions.htm
Standard wording on mortgages and other documents.
www.brokersnyc.com/docs.cfm/BrokersOnly/CareerManagement/Glossary
sections of a proposal applicable to a variety of requests; e.g., organizational descriptions, professional resumes, etc.; often maintained by organizations submitting numerous proposals in order to reduce preparation time.
www.manchester.edu/Connect/Advance/Files/grant_glossary.htm
Text and/or graphics that appear in a report every time it is run. In some products this is called "constant" text or graphics.
otn.oracle.co.kr/docs/oracle78/reports25/bror2/glossary.htm
Standard clauses and requirements incorporated into contracts (bid forms and purchase orders), which are derived from laws, or administrative procedures of state government.
insider.dli.state.mt.us/purchasing/purc%20iii.htm
Language from a previous document that a writer includes in a new document. Writers use boilerplate both to save time and energy and to use language that has already been approved by the organization’s legal staff.
highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072469587/student_view0/glossary.html
Standard, non-controversial legal clauses, often required by regulatory agencies or state or federal law.
www.vedpuriswar.org/book2/glossary1.htm
Refers to publishers' standard contracts prior to any changes by an author or agent. Most publishers have a variety of boilerplate contracts to meet different needs. Boilerplates are always weighted in favor of the publisher and should be regarded by authors only as a starting point for hammering out agreeable terms.
wwws.htwk-leipzig.de/~cwittman/CWd_glossary_of_publishing_terms.htm
standard formulations uniformly found in certain types of legal documents or news stories
www.cogsci.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/webwn
thick plate iron used in the production of boilers
www.cogsci.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/webwn
But be careful using this feature. If you plug in
define: lawyer
or
define: professor
you will see some unusual definitions.
How Google will get around these jokester's definitions is another matter - depending on the algorithm they are using to try to create this online glossary.
This glossary feature is still quite limited.
Entering terms such as blawg and weblog gives zero results, although the term blog is defined.
The "define" feature in Google can be used to show very clearly that some aspects of "knowledge" and "communication" are relative to the content limitations on word-based expression.
We communicate by means of words, but these words often have no universal meaning and are "defined" in the brain of the reciever differently than they are defined in the brain of the sender, and the variance in definition is quickly seen when we look at the myriad definitions for commonly used terms.
Try:
define: law - (a seamless web - one of the first assignments that I give to law students in my classes is to write an essay on "what is law?", after all, it is their chosen field of study, and the responses are as varied as the personalities that write them)
define: democracy - (wide diversity of opinion)
define: government - (make sure you read this to the end, it contains some beauties)
define: politics - (this has some mean ones in it)
define: freedom - (there are some creative ones here)
define: norm - (not easy to define, but something the law deals with all the time)
define: opinion - (the law-related definitions tend to be inexact)
define: precedent - (make sure to read the one from the Devil's Dictionary)
define: purpose - (the best ones are at the end)
define: writing - (very weak list, but shows that writing is an artefact)
define: history - (some choice selections down the list)
define: religion - (a panoply of musings - note that the Oxford dictionary definition at the bottom of the list shows why we still need and use standard dictionaries - compare those definitions to what you otherwise read on that page)
define: God - (definitions found here are of course relevant to disputes about such things as the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance - just what does the phrase mean?)
define: thought - (very few definitions, a rare commodity?) define: thinking fares no better
define: man - (oh dear, Google is lost here - the algorithm needs work)
define: woman - (an absolutely disastrous collection - if you did not already know what a woman was, would these definitions help you?)
As always, caveat emptor (see define: caveat emptor), which applies not only to physical goods we "buy" but also to what we "buy" as a matter of thought and ideas.
Google's new command define: will never replace the standard dictionaries - unless the standard dictionaries are themselves used as the principal online sources, but this new command does provide some interesting insights into what people are thinking and writing, and it is quite good fun.
Permalink : Andis Kaulins : 10/23/2003 01:16:00 PM
Google's new Command - Define:
Via TVC Alert from Genie Tyburski at the Virtual Chase I find at Aaron Swartz's Google Weblog that: "Google Glossary has gone live on the main Google site. Do a search for something like define elephant or define dna and you get back a definition with your search results. Search for define: dna or click 'more results' to see the rest of the definitions."
I find that only the command "define with a colon", i.e.
define:
actually works - but I am in Germany, maybe it works otherwise elsewhere.
Entering that command in Google gives a fixed list of definitions of a given term on the web,
e.g. "define: boilerplate", gives us the following list:
Standardized "fine-print" language in a contract or other agreement detailing terms and conditions.
www.onlinewbc.gov/docs/starting/glossary.html
A boilerplate document is created in word processing by assembling previously existing documents. Many routine business letters and contracts are assembled from boilerplate paragraphs.
www.oznet.ksu.edu/ed_asi490/Glossary/cgw.htm
Form language used in deeds, mortgages and other documents. Details can be added by individual parties.
www.lakeplacidrealestate.com/glossary.html
Standard language in a contract.
www.underdown.org/cigglossary.htm
Standard language that businesses routinely include in contracts. The other party to the agreement can sometimes negotiate to change or remove such provisions.
www.brownfieldscenter.org/big/glossary.shtml
The language section of a bill or public act. With regard to an appropriation bill or act, typically provides for legislative intent or further legal clarification of the line-item appropriations. Boilerplate can also refer to the standardized or pro forma language that is used at the front of the bill or statute.
www.michigan.gov/printerFriendly/0,1687,7-157--32835--,00.html
A term used to describe the standard terms and conditions on a purchase or other contract document.
elmo.shore.ctc.edu/jbaker/glossery.htm
Boilerplate is legal jargon for the form language used in deeds, mortgages and other documents. The boilerplate language is usually preprinted on the document itself; details are added by the individual parties.
www.kcbor.com/glossary_-_b.html
Reports, form letters, and other prewritten documents that can be coordinated with mailing lists and other variable information to produce personalized hard-copy output.
www.indstate.edu/cape/glossary.html
Standard and essential contract terminology and clauses that are not subject to frequent change. Use of the term can be dangerous because it may lull contract parties into thinking they need not read the clauses, assuming no changes from previous contracts, or assuming the data are not significant.
www.dhs.state.or.us/admin/ois/pmo/publications/pmo_glossary.html
Standard wording (for example, sentences or paragraphs in form letters or clauses in legal documents) that is held in storage. When needed, it can be used as is, with minor modification, or in combination with new material to produce tailor-made documents.
www.unm.edu/cirt/ais/docs/stdglossary.htm
Standard copy that may be inserted in reports, foundation proposals, and other documents since it is unchanging and generally timeless. Also refers to legal forms which attorneys may use with standard situations. Topic areas:Fundraising and Financial Sustainability
www.nonprofitbasics.org/TopicAreaGlossary.aspx
from m-w.com: syndicated material supplied especially to weekly newspapers in matrix or plate form standardized text formulaic or hackneyed language
www.viptx.net/orientation/glossary.html
A colloquialism, used to identify standard terms and conditions incorporated in solicitations, contracts, or purchase orders.
www.jblk.com/sam/frm_word.htm
A standard publishing contract, with no changes or addenda made by the writer or agent. The boilerplate should be considered a starting point only; usually changes will be made.
www.thescriptorium.net/glossary.html
A standard text component of a document that requires few or no changes.
www.carolla.com/glossary.html
the standard terms and conditions on a purchase order, agreement or contract
www.co.la.ca.us/doing_business/definitions.htm
Standard wording on mortgages and other documents.
www.brokersnyc.com/docs.cfm/BrokersOnly/CareerManagement/Glossary
sections of a proposal applicable to a variety of requests; e.g., organizational descriptions, professional resumes, etc.; often maintained by organizations submitting numerous proposals in order to reduce preparation time.
www.manchester.edu/Connect/Advance/Files/grant_glossary.htm
Text and/or graphics that appear in a report every time it is run. In some products this is called "constant" text or graphics.
otn.oracle.co.kr/docs/oracle78/reports25/bror2/glossary.htm
Standard clauses and requirements incorporated into contracts (bid forms and purchase orders), which are derived from laws, or administrative procedures of state government.
insider.dli.state.mt.us/purchasing/purc%20iii.htm
Language from a previous document that a writer includes in a new document. Writers use boilerplate both to save time and energy and to use language that has already been approved by the organization’s legal staff.
highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072469587/student_view0/glossary.html
Standard, non-controversial legal clauses, often required by regulatory agencies or state or federal law.
www.vedpuriswar.org/book2/glossary1.htm
Refers to publishers' standard contracts prior to any changes by an author or agent. Most publishers have a variety of boilerplate contracts to meet different needs. Boilerplates are always weighted in favor of the publisher and should be regarded by authors only as a starting point for hammering out agreeable terms.
wwws.htwk-leipzig.de/~cwittman/CWd_glossary_of_publishing_terms.htm
standard formulations uniformly found in certain types of legal documents or news stories
www.cogsci.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/webwn
thick plate iron used in the production of boilers
www.cogsci.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/webwn
But be careful using this feature. If you plug in
define: lawyer
or
define: professor
you will see some unusual definitions.
How Google will get around these jokester's definitions is another matter - depending on the algorithm they are using to try to create this online glossary.
This glossary feature is still quite limited.
Entering terms such as blawg and weblog gives zero results, although the term blog is defined.
The "define" feature in Google can be used to show very clearly that some aspects of "knowledge" and "communication" are relative to the content limitations on word-based expression.
We communicate by means of words, but these words often have no universal meaning and are "defined" in the brain of the reciever differently than they are defined in the brain of the sender, and the variance in definition is quickly seen when we look at the myriad definitions for commonly used terms.
Try:
define: law - (a seamless web - one of the first assignments that I give to law students in my classes is to write an essay on "what is law?", after all, it is their chosen field of study, and the responses are as varied as the personalities that write them)
define: democracy - (wide diversity of opinion)
define: government - (make sure you read this to the end, it contains some beauties)
define: politics - (this has some mean ones in it)
define: freedom - (there are some creative ones here)
define: norm - (not easy to define, but something the law deals with all the time)
define: opinion - (the law-related definitions tend to be inexact)
define: precedent - (make sure to read the one from the Devil's Dictionary)
define: purpose - (the best ones are at the end)
define: writing - (very weak list, but shows that writing is an artefact)
define: history - (some choice selections down the list)
define: religion - (a panoply of musings - note that the Oxford dictionary definition at the bottom of the list shows why we still need and use standard dictionaries - compare those definitions to what you otherwise read on that page)
define: God - (definitions found here are of course relevant to disputes about such things as the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance - just what does the phrase mean?)
define: thought - (very few definitions, a rare commodity?) define: thinking fares no better
define: man - (oh dear, Google is lost here - the algorithm needs work)
define: woman - (an absolutely disastrous collection - if you did not already know what a woman was, would these definitions help you?)
As always, caveat emptor (see define: caveat emptor), which applies not only to physical goods we "buy" but also to what we "buy" as a matter of thought and ideas.
Google's new command define: will never replace the standard dictionaries - unless the standard dictionaries are themselves used as the principal online sources, but this new command does provide some interesting insights into what people are thinking and writing, and it is quite good fun.
Permalink : Andis Kaulins : 10/23/2003 01:16:00 PM
......Creative Commons License
