dictd
DICT protocol dictionary server daemon
TLDR
Start dictionary server
SYNOPSIS
dictd [options]
DESCRIPTION
dictd is a dictionary server daemon implementing the DICT protocol (RFC 2229). It serves dictionary databases to clients over TCP port 2628, enabling word lookups, definitions, translations, and thesaurus queries.
The server supports multiple dictionary formats and can serve several dictionaries simultaneously. Clients can query words across all configured databases at once or target specific dictionaries. The protocol supports various search strategies including exact match, prefix, suffix, and fuzzy matching.
dictd databases are typically in the dictd format created by dictfmt, which converts various source formats into indexed dictionary files. The server handles concurrent connections and can be configured with access controls. Popular dictionary databases include WordNet, Elements, Jargon File, and various language translation dictionaries.
PARAMETERS
-c file
Configuration file path.--port port
TCP port (default 2628).--listen address
Listen address.--limit n
Maximum concurrent connections.--foreground
Don't daemonize.--log type
Logging type (syslog, stderr).--pid file
PID file location.-L, --license
Show license.-V, --version
Show version.
CONFIGURATION
/etc/dictd/dictd.conf
Server configuration file specifying dictionary database locations, access controls, and server behavior.
CAVEATS
Requires dictionary database files. Port 2628 may need firewall rules. Large dictionaries use significant memory. Client needed for lookups.
HISTORY
dictd was developed as part of the DICT project in the late 1990s. The DICT protocol was designed to replace older dictionary protocols and enable internet dictionary services. The project provides both server and client implementations.