Searching and Browsing
Use the search box on the top-right of every page to conduct a general search query of all thesaurus terms.
When searching you can use single words (with optional wildcards), multi-word phrases, operators, and/or grouping. For more information, please see below.
Single-Word Search
To conduct a single word search, simply type your desired search term into the Search Box.
A search for history will find all terms containing the word "history".
Tip: To broaden your search, you can use single or multiple character 'Wildcards' (see below).
Wildcard Search
'Wildcards' can only be used in single word searches, not within multi-word searches.
A single character ? wildcard search finds results that match your search term with the single character replaced.
A search for te?t will find all terms with the words "test," "tent," or "text".
A multiple character * wildcard search finds results with any number of characters after your search term.
A search for test* will find all terms with the words "test," "tests," "tester," or "testing".
Please note: You cannot use a * or ? symbol as the first character of a query.
Multi-Word Search
To conduct a multi-word search, simply surround your desired search phrase with double quotes.
A search for "historical document" will find all terms containing this exact phrase.
Search 'Operators'
Operators allow search words to be combined. To use the operators, insert the words OR, AND, or NOT between desired search words (operators must be ALL CAPS).
OR - is the default operator. This means that unless you specify another operator, OR is used. The OR operator finds results where either of your search words are found.
A search for "historical document" OR history will find all terms containing the exact words "historical document" or "history". A search for "historical document" history will also find all terms containing "historical document" or "history".
AND - finds results where both of your search terms are found.
A search for historical AND document will find all terms with both words "historical" and "document". This will narrow your search and find less results than a search for historical OR document or historical document.
NOT - excludes results that contain the specified term.
A search for historical NOT document will find all terms containing "historical", but not the word "document".
Please note: The NOT operator cannot be used with just one term.
A search for NOT papers will not return any results.
Search Grouping
To conduct more complex searches, it is possible to combine the above operators using brackets.
A search for (historical OR history) AND document will find all terms containing either the word "historical" or "history," and the word "document".