Multi Definitions

An Obsidian personal dictionary where one term can have multiple saved explanations.

Features

• Save any number of explanations for the same term.
• Optional aliases for every term.
• Automatically recognizes saved terms in Reading View and Live Preview.
• Desktop mouse hover shows a quick preview containing all explanations.
• Mouse click or tablet finger tap opens the full definition card.
• Stylus input is ignored by the definition interaction, preventing accidental popups while writing.
• Add, edit, and delete individual explanations.
• Markdown is supported inside explanations.
• Longest-term-first matching prevents a short term from replacing part of a longer saved phrase.
• Works with Chinese terms and English word boundaries.
• Appearance controls:
  • Bold
  • Background highlight
  • Custom highlight color
  • Custom text color
  • Underline
• Definitions and appearance settings are stored in Multi Definitions/definitions.json inside the vault for cross-device synchronization.

Usage

Add a definition

1. Select a term in the editor.
2. Run Multi Definitions: Add definition, or use the editor context menu.
3. Enter an optional explanation title, aliases, and the explanation.
4. To add another explanation later, use Add another definition.

View definitions

• Desktop: rest the mouse on a marked term for a quick preview, or click for the full card.
• Tablet: tap the marked term with one finger.
• Keyboard: focus a marked term and press Enter or Space.
• Stylus: does not open definition cards.

Manage the dictionary

Select the book icon in the ribbon or run Multi Definitions: Manage definitions.

Storage and synchronization

The synchronized source of truth is:

Multi Definitions/definitions.json

This regular vault file works with Obsidian Sync, Git, Syncthing, OneDrive, and other vault synchronization methods. A plugin-local backup is also maintained.

Installation

1. Download main.js, manifest.json, and styles.css from the latest release.
2. Create .obsidian/plugins/multi-definitions/ inside the vault.
3. Copy the three files into that folder.
4. Restart Obsidian and enable Multi Definitions.

Obsidian 1.13.0 or later is required.

Development

pnpm install
pnpm run check
pnpm run build

Attribution

This project is an independent implementation inspired by Obsidian Note Definitions, which is licensed under the MIT License. Multi Definitions uses a new array-based data model to support multiple explanations per term.

License

MIT

中文说明

Multi Definitions 是一个支持“一条名词保存多条解释”的 Obsidian 个人词典插件。

• 在任意笔记中自动识别已经保存的名词。
• 电脑端鼠标悬停显示快速预览，鼠标单击打开完整解释卡片。
• 平板端用手指单击名词查看全部解释。
• 手写笔不会触发解释卡片，避免书写时误触。
• 同一个名词可以保存任意多条解释，并可分别编辑或删除。
• 可以为名词设置别名。
• 可以调节名词样式：加粗、荧光背景、背景颜色、文字颜色和下划线。
• 数据保存在仓库内的 Multi Definitions/definitions.json，能够同步到电脑和平板。