Example searches

Combining three search terms

Aim: to find the names of birds or mammals native to Australia

Open the Advanced search page by clicking .
Make sure the entries tab is selected.
Type bird* into the first input box.

The wildcard * ensures that both bird and birds are matched.
Select definitions from the corresponding search area list box.
Select OR from the list box for Operation A.
Type mammal* into the second input box.
Select definitions from the corresponding search area list box.
Select AND from the list box for Operation B.
Type Australia* into the third input box.

The wildcard * ensures that both Australia and Australian are matched.
Select definitions from the corresponding search area list box.
Under ‘Order of operations’:
- make sure A then B is selected
If B then A were selected, the search ("bird*") OR ("mammal*" AND "australia*") would be performed, which would retrieve all entries containing bird in their definitions, not just those in which both bird and Australia were found.
Click to start the search.
The results list is displayed. The results include emu, kangaroo, koala, etc.

There will also be false positive matches, since the search is for the terms in the same entry, but not necessarily in the same definition.
To go to the top of any entry, click its name (in the left-hand column). To go to the first match in any entry, click the matching term (in the right-hand column).

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