How Can We Help?
Support for Classic Dictionary 1913 Chrome Extension
Email: joe@agsadvising.com
We typically respond within 24-48 hours during business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use the extension?
There are three ways to look up words:
- Text Selection: Simply select any word on any webpage. A definition popup will appear automatically.
- Right-Click Menu: Select text, right-click, and choose "Look up in 1913 Dictionary".
- Extension Icon: Click the extension icon in your Chrome toolbar to open the manual search popup.
Is my data private?
Yes, 100%. The extension collects zero data:
- No tracking or analytics
- No browsing history access
- No search query logging
- No external servers or API calls
- Everything processes locally on your device
Read our full privacy policy for complete details.
Does it work offline?
Yes! The entire dictionary (113,376 entries) is bundled with the extension. Once installed, it works completely offline—on airplanes, in remote locations, anywhere. No internet connection required after installation.
Why use the 1913 dictionary instead of a modern one?
The 1913 unabridged dictionary offers several advantages:
- Rich definitions: Comprehensive explanations instead of brief, clinical entries
- Literary quality: Beautiful writing with context and examples
- Historical accuracy: Period-appropriate meanings for classic literature
- Etymology: Detailed word origins and evolution
- Public domain: No licensing restrictions, free forever
It's ideal for reading classic literature, creative writing, or anyone who loves language depth.
The popup isn't appearing when I select text. What's wrong?
Try these troubleshooting steps:
- Refresh the page: The extension activates when pages load. Try refreshing (F5 or Cmd/Ctrl+R).
- Check extension is enabled: Click the puzzle piece icon in Chrome's toolbar and ensure the extension is turned on.
- Verify permissions: The extension needs permission to access web pages. Check chrome://extensions/ to confirm permissions are granted.
- Restart Chrome: Sometimes a browser restart resolves activation issues.
- Reinstall the extension: If issues persist, try uninstalling and reinstalling from the Chrome Web Store.
Can I suggest a feature or report a bug?
Absolutely! We'd love to hear from you. Send feature requests, bug reports, or general feedback to joe@agsadvising.com. We're actively improving the extension and value user input.
Does it work on all websites?
The extension works on nearly all websites. However, Chrome restricts extensions on certain pages for security reasons:
- Chrome Web Store pages (chrome.google.com/webstore)
- Chrome internal pages (chrome:// URLs)
- Chrome extension settings pages
On all other sites—news, blogs, Wikipedia, documents, etc.—it works perfectly.
Is this extension free?
Yes, 100% free. There are no premium tiers, subscriptions, or hidden costs. The extension will remain free forever. We built this because we love language and wanted to share this incredible resource with the world.
How large is the extension? Will it slow down my browser?
The extension is approximately 25 MB (the entire dictionary is bundled). This is comparable to a few high-resolution photos. It has minimal impact on browser performance:
- Memory footprint: ~25-30 MB (very light)
- Lookup speed: Under 100ms (nearly instant)
- CPU usage: Negligible (only activates on text selection)
Can I use this on other browsers (Firefox, Safari, Edge)?
Currently, the extension is available for Chrome and Chromium-based browsers (Edge, Brave, Opera, Vivaldi). These browsers all support Chrome extensions from the Chrome Web Store.
Firefox and Safari: We're exploring ports to these browsers, but they require different extension APIs. If you'd like to see support for these browsers, let us know at joe@agsadvising.com.
Common Issues & Solutions
❌ Issue: Extension icon appears but popup doesn't open
Solution:
- Right-click the extension icon and select "Inspect popup" to check for errors
- Try disabling other extensions temporarily to rule out conflicts
- Clear browser cache and restart Chrome
- If problem persists, email us at joe@agsadvising.com
❌ Issue: Word not found in dictionary
Solution:
- The 1913 dictionary doesn't include modern slang, technical jargon, or very recent words
- Try searching for the root word (e.g., "run" instead of "running")
- Check spelling—select just the word without punctuation or extra characters
- Some proper nouns and brand names aren't included
❌ Issue: Popup appears off-screen or in wrong position
Solution:
- The popup tries to position itself near selected text while staying on-screen
- Try selecting text in a different part of the page
- Zoom level can affect positioning—try resetting zoom to 100% (Ctrl/Cmd+0)
- Use the right-click menu option if automatic popup positioning is problematic
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