gistfile1.rb

lex = WordNet::Lexicon.new

collection = []
current = ""

while true
  trap("INT") do
    Process.exit
  end

  begin
    system("stty raw -echo")
    str = STDIN.getc
  ensure
    system("stty -raw echo")
  end

  if str.chr == " "
    #new word
    origins = lex.lookup_synsets( current, WordNet::Noun )
    if origins
      # its a nouse
     output = origins.map{|x| x.traverse(:hypernyms).first.gloss.join(', ')}
     puts output
    end
    puts current

    collection << current
    current = ""
  else
    # add to the word
    print str.chr
    current << str.chr
  end
end