Hi Sridhar, > I loaded gdict (I would assume that this would work with kdict as well), which > is set to use the server dict.org on port 2628. I then entered the word > "defenestration" (without the quotes). Here's what I got:
> defenestration n. mythically from a traditional Czech > assasination method, via SF fandom 1. Proper karmic retribution > for an incorrigible punster. "Oh, ghod, that was _awful_!" "Quick! > Defenestrate him!" 2. The act of exiting a window system in order to > get better response time from a full-screen program. This comes from > the dictionary meaning of `defenestrate', which is to throw something out > a window. 3. The act of discarding something under the assumption that > it will improve matters. "I don't have any disk space left." "Well, > why don't you defenestrate that 100 megs worth of old core dumps?" > 4. Under a GUI, the act of dragging something out of a window (onto > the screen). "Next, defenestrate the MugWump icon." 5. The act of > completely removing Micro$oft Windows from a PC in favor of a better OS > (typically Linux). > Can anyone verify this? Which part would you want to be verified? The Czech "assasination method", that's true, however I wouldn't use the word "assasination". Defenestration was an act in which angry citizens threw the "lords" or "aldermen" (can't think of a better translation) out of the windows of the town hall. As this act has proved effective it has been practised a few more times. The term itself is probably derived from the German word "Fenster" (window). Actually, the text you posted is an exact copy of what is found in the Jargon File, http://tuxedo.org/jargon/html/entry/defenestration.html . HTH Roman
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