# Install dict with Homebrew, apt, MacPorts, Nix, dnf, pacman, zypper Dictionary Server Protocol (RFC2229) client. Version 1.13.3 via Homebrew; verified from local package data. ## Install ```sh sudo av install brew:dict ``` Additional install commands: ### macOS - Homebrew (100%): ```sh brew install dict ``` Evidence: local Homebrew formula metadata - MacPorts (94%): ```sh sudo port install dict ``` Evidence: MacPorts ports tree: textproc/dict/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1 ### Linux - Debian apt (92%): ```sh sudo apt install dict ``` Evidence: Debian stable package indexes: dict from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz - Nix (92%): ```sh nix profile install nixpkgs#dict ``` Evidence: nixpkgs package indexes: dict from https://raw.githubusercontent.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/master/pkgs/top-level/all-packages.nix - dnf (92%): ```sh sudo dnf install dictd ``` Evidence: Fedora Rawhide package metadata: dictd from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst - pacman (92%): ```sh sudo pacman -S dictd ``` Evidence: Arch Linux sync databases: dictd from https://geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com/extra/os/x86_64/extra.db.tar.gz - zypper (92%): ```sh sudo zypper install dictd ``` Evidence: openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: dictd from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/be8d3611d25469107f32075a1697e69ec57a2b850b42348a658cc671ad5ec2b50760d02c3e59524d50da9a11d5be799bdaffba2e166e8ca8858512e3c0bd665d-primary.xml.zst ## Package facts - **Package key:** brew:dict - **Package manager:** Homebrew - **Package manager page:** - **Version:** 1.13.3 - **Source summary:** Dictionary Server Protocol (RFC2229) client - **Homepage:** - **Repository:** - **Upstream docs:** - **License:** GPL-2.0-or-later - **Source archive:** - **Generated:** 2026-07-08T18:08:21+00:00 ## Executables - colorit (cli) - dict (cli) - dict_lookup (cli) - dictd (cli) - dictdplugin-config (cli) - dictfmt (cli) - dictfmt_index2suffix (cli) - dictfmt_index2word (cli) - dictl (cli) - dictunformat (cli) - dictzip (cli) - colorit (alias) - dict (alias) - dict_lookup (alias) - dictd (alias) - dictdplugin-config (alias) - dictfmt (alias) - dictfmt_index2suffix (alias) - dictfmt_index2word (alias) - dictl (alias) - dictunformat (alias) - dictzip (alias) ## Dependencies - libmaa ## Build dependencies - libtool ## Install behavior - Post-install hook: not defined - Bottle: available on arm64_linux, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, sonoma, x86_64_linux ## Freshness - Page generated: 2026-07-08 - Package-manager version: 1.13.3 - Local data: ok - Upstream repository: https://dict.org/bin/Dict - info: No package-manager update timestamp was available. - info: Release/tag comparison is only available for GitHub repositories. ## Project history and usage dict is the command-line client and companion server/tool suite for the DICT Dictionary Server Protocol. It sits in the Unix tradition of small text tools while exposing network dictionary lookup, formatting, compression, and server administration utilities. ### Project history The DICT protocol was published as RFC 2229 in October 1997 to replace older webster-style dictionary access with a TCP query/response protocol that could address multiple dictionary databases through one interface. The dictd source tree carries that protocol lineage into a client, daemon, formatter, dictzip compressor, and supporting tools. The current public repository describes itself as client/server software, human-language dictionary databases, and tools supporting RFC 2229. Its NEWS file shows long maintenance across Unix-like systems, including 2011 utility additions, 2020 IPv6 support, and a 2023 build-system refresh. ### Adoption history dict became package-manager material because it gives terminal users a network dictionary client, while also letting administrators run local DICT servers. The upstream README points operators to dict.org mailing lists for release, database, and server-operator discussion, which reflects the project culture around shared dictionary services. ### How it is used The client reads server settings from ~/.dictrc or /etc/dict.conf and connects to DICT servers on the RFC port by default. Typical use is direct word lookup, database listing, matching strategies, or using dictd and dictfmt to serve and build dictionaries locally. ### Why package nerds care For package nerds, dict is interesting because it packages a complete protocol ecosystem rather than a single command: CLI client, daemon, database tooling, compression format, sample configs, and a standards document all live close together. ### Timeline - 1997: RFC 2229 publishes the DICT Dictionary Server Protocol. - 2011: dict_lookup is added for translating selected words and phrases. - 2020: dict and dictd gain IPv6 support. - 2023: dictd 2.0.0 switches to the mk-configure build system. ### Related projects - RFC 2229, dict.org, dictd, dictfmt, and dictzip form the closely related DICT protocol toolchain. ### Sources - - - - - - ## Security Notes broad file, network, media, or database tool signal. - **Geiger risk:** blue / medium - broad file, network, media, or database tool signal ## Configuration and credential file locations These source-backed paths show where this package keeps local settings or durable credentials. Automic Vault can use them as review targets for secret scanning, migration, and command approval. ## Configuration files - Unix: ~/.dictrc, /etc/dict.conf, /etc/dictd.conf ## Source Database Details - **Source Database:** Homebrew formula API - **Tap:** homebrew/core - **Full Name:** dict - **Version Scheme:** 0 - **Revision:** 0 - **Bottle Stable Root URL:** - **Deprecated:** no - **Disabled:** no - **Keg Only:** no - **URL Keys:** stable ## Other Package-Manager Records - Debian apt - dict - 1.13.1+dfsg-1: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: dict from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | dictionary client | https://sourceforge.net/projects/dict/ - Nix - dict: normalized package name match | nixpkgs package indexes: dict from https://raw.githubusercontent.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/master/pkgs/top-level/all-packages.nix - Ubuntu apt - dict - 1.13.1+dfsg-1build1: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: dict from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/main/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | dictionary client | https://sourceforge.net/projects/dict/ - MacPorts - dict: normalized package name match | MacPorts ports tree: textproc/dict/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1 - Debian apt - dictd - 1.13.1+dfsg-1: installed executable or alias match | Debian stable package indexes: dictd from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | dictionary server | https://sourceforge.net/projects/dict/ - Debian apt - dictfmt - 1.13.1+dfsg-1: installed executable or alias match | Debian stable package indexes: dictfmt from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | utility to format a file for use by a dictd server | https://sourceforge.net/projects/dict/ - Debian apt - dictzip - 1.13.1+dfsg-1: installed executable or alias match | Debian stable package indexes: dictzip from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | compression utility for dictionary databases | https://sourceforge.net/projects/dict/ - Ubuntu apt - dictd - 1.13.1+dfsg-1build1: installed executable or alias match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: dictd from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/main/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | dictionary server | https://sourceforge.net/projects/dict/ - Ubuntu apt - dictfmt - 1.13.1+dfsg-1build1: installed executable or alias match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: dictfmt from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | utility to format a file for use by a dictd server | https://sourceforge.net/projects/dict/ - Ubuntu apt - dictzip - 1.13.1+dfsg-1build1: installed executable or alias match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: dictzip from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/main/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | compression utility for dictionary databases | https://sourceforge.net/projects/dict/ - dnf - dictd - 1.13.3-6.fc45: installed executable or alias match | Fedora Rawhide package metadata: dictd from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst | DICT protocol (RFC 2229) server and command-line client | http://www.dict.org/ - dnf - dictd-server - 1.13.3-6.fc45: installed executable or alias match | Fedora Rawhide package metadata: dictd-server from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst | Server for the Dictionary Server Protocol (DICT) | http://www.dict.org/ - pacman - dictd - 1.13.3-1: installed executable or alias match | Arch Linux sync databases: dictd from https://geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com/extra/os/x86_64/extra.db.tar.gz | Online dictionary client and server | https://sourceforge.net/projects/dict/ - zypper - dictd - 1.13.3+git.1731775346.2b21553-2.3: installed executable or alias match | openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: dictd from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/be8d3611d25469107f32075a1697e69ec57a2b850b42348a658cc671ad5ec2b50760d02c3e59524d50da9a11d5be799bdaffba2e166e8ca8858512e3c0bd665d-primary.xml.zst | DICT protocol (RFC 2229) server and command-line client | https://github.com/cheusov/dictd - zypper - dictd-devel - 1.13.3+git.1731775346.2b21553-2.3: installed executable or alias match | openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: dictd-devel from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/be8d3611d25469107f32075a1697e69ec57a2b850b42348a658cc671ad5ec2b50760d02c3e59524d50da9a11d5be799bdaffba2e166e8ca8858512e3c0bd665d-primary.xml.zst | Development files for dictd | https://github.com/cheusov/dictd ## Related links - [Secret-risk packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/secret-risk-packages/) - Has protected-tool coverage, approval-gate, or non-low Geiger security signals. - [Terminal utility packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/terminal-utilities/) - Matched terminal and command-line workflow metadata. - [Networking and protocol packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/networking-protocol-tools/) - Matched network, protocol, or remote-service metadata. - [Productivity CLI packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/productivity-cli-packages/) - Matched curated productivity category metadata from av.db. - [libtool](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/libtool/) - Build dependency declared by Homebrew. - [sdcv](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/sdcv/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, dictionary, productivity. - [gocheat](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/gocheat/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, productivity, reference. - [gucharmap](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/gucharmap/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, productivity, reference. - [wtf](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/wtf/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, productivity, reference. - [aspell](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/aspell/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, dictionary, productivity. - [hspell](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/hspell/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, dictionary, productivity. - [a2ps](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/a2ps/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, productivity. - [abook](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/abook/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, productivity. - [synergy-core](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/synergy-core/) - Local metadata places this package in an adjacent workflow. Shared terms: cli, client, productivity, server. ## Combined YAML source View the package source record on GitHub. [combined/dict.yml](https://github.com/automic-vault/db/blob/main/combined/dict.yml) ## Sources - Nucleus package database - Geiger risk classifier - package-page enrichment - curated configuration and credential file locations - curated package history - package version freshness - av.db category and tag curation - package relationship graph - external package-manager database matches - cross-ecosystem install command graph