I am a mac user and just need to type a word on spotlight to get its meaning. Sadly, Bill Gates is too busy counting his money to incorporate a similar thing in Windows. Could you guys suggest a good downloadable dictionary and Thesaurus? If its free, you've made my day! Apple uses: New Oxford American Dictionary Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus Apple Dictionary If I could get Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus online (searchable) that wouldn't be too bad either!
Personally I just like www.dictionary.com and www.thesaurus.com (you can add them to your toolbar in firefox to add functionality). Don't know about search, but appears you can browse the thesaurus you want here: http://www.encyclopedia.com/The+Oxford+American+Writers+Thesaurus/publications.aspx?pageNumber=1
Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary has been my aide for long. I remember paying less than 10 clams for it. It comes in CD format and could be installed into several systems
I agree with jhmattern, www.dictionary.com and www.thesaurus.com are great and extremely easy to use.