What's happening in the main window?

The main window is where you view entries, browse the entry list, and look up words.

A web browser that supports frames is currently required to view OED Online. The frames used on the site are as follows:

Find Word frame

At the top of the window, this frame contains the Find Word search box.

Header frame

When an entry is displayed, this frame contains the headword and part of speech of the entry, as well as links back to the results list, to the previous and next entries in the results list, to the previous and next matches in the entry, and to an earlier or later version of the entry. (Not all links may be available, depending on the entry and on the number of results retrieved by the search.)

When a results list is displayed, this frame contains options for switching between Second Edition and New Edition results, and changing the number of results displayed per page.

Main frame

This frame contains the body of an entry. It is also used for lists of search results and for the Advanced search form.

Side frame

At the left-hand side of the window, this frame is used for the simple Full Text search form, for alphabetical and chronological lists of entries adjacent to the entry currently displayed in the Main frame, and for a map of the current entry, linking to each numbered sense.

Tools frame

At the bottom of the window, this frame contains tool buttons used to alter the contents of the Side frame, to display the Advanced search form, to display a print preview of an entry or results list, to mail a free link to an entry, to bring up the Help text, and to sign out of OED Online.