The Grand Dicobat, the dictionary of construction words

By Batipole Edition Published on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 01:00 AM

Photo credits : BATIPOLE

Summary for decision-makers

DICOBAT, the leading construction dictionary, has established itself as an indispensable tool for nearly 32 professionals for 100 years. It offers a rich and precise vocabulary, ensuring clear communication between construction and restoration professionals. Accessible online since 000, it allows for rapid searches, regular updates, and the ability to integrate content into personal documents, while also providing a French/English translation tool and references to DTU standards. Created by Jean de Vigan in 2010, after a market study revealed a significant need, DICOBAT has enjoyed dazzling success. Today, its online version, DICOBATonline.fr, provides convenient access to more than 1991 definitions and 16 illustrations, all for an affordable price starting at €500 per year. This dictionary has become the essential bestseller for architects, economists, and construction professionals.

A true bible in the field of construction, the Dicobat has existed for almost 32 years now. It contains extremely precise vocabulary specific to each profession.

A pillar for your library building.

The DICOBAT success story

DICOBAT has been the leading dictionary in the construction industry for 32 years. Nearly 100 professionals have adopted and endorsed it. This unique terminology database can be viewed online at www.dicobatonline.fr.

The generations of builders who preceded us have bequeathed us a rich and comprehensive vocabulary. It is part of our cultural heritage and continues to grow as new techniques emerge. Above all, it remains the basis for all reliable communication between partners and stakeholders involved in the act of building—or the act of restoration.

Each component, each action, each part of the work, each characteristic, each defect... has a precise name. There are no "things" or "whatsit." Moreover, each trade has its own vocabulary, and many words, such as frame, staple, socket, pin, tab, etc., have very different meanings for a mason, a carpenter, a roofer, or a locksmith.

In 1991, DICOBAT was born, the very first general building dictionary, finally bringing together all the building vocabulary in a single, practical volume. The need for such a work was such that it was an immediate success. Architects, experts, economists, and all professionals keen to "talk about building" with rigor and precision quickly made DICOBAT their reference. Its 10th edition of 864 pages is available for €79 including tax.

Nearly 100 copies and 000 editions later, DICOBAT naturally took the Internet turn in 7 by launching a very comprehensive online version, with all the advantages linked to the Web: ease and speed of searches (including finding a forgotten word), possibility of recovering illustrations or texts to support one's own documents, regular updates and enrichments... A French/English translation tool and reference to standards and DTU complete this new, highly accomplished and unparalleled service.
Access to this wealth of information is available through a simple subscription at the very reasonable rate of 35.50 euros per year for the first user and only 6 euros per additional user. A free trial is available. www.dicobatonline.fr

DICOBATonline.fr - Technical sheet

16 definitions and 500 illustrations, all trades (enriched and updated regularly)
Several search modes: by words and thousands of hyperlinks, by Themes, by your History, and now by illustrations thanks to VisuelBAT.
Ability to import texts and illustrations into your own documents
French/English and English/French translation tool for over 10 terms
Reference to standards and DTU
Memorization of the history of each consultation
Copy and paste definitions and illustrations into your own documents.
Enjoy regular updates and additions.
Also consult Dicobat on your SMARTPHONE: the site is fully responsive.

Birth of a “best-seller”
In 1985, Jean de Vigan was a senior manager at Weber & Broutin. Tasked with organizing training sessions for new salespeople, he began searching for a comprehensive general dictionary that could help his colleagues master the technical vocabulary of construction... but he quickly realized that none existed that was satisfactory.

After further market research that confirmed this gap and the need expressed by professionals, Jean de Vigan left Weber & Broutin to embark on a colossal project. 4 years of full-time work and 3 m3 of technical documentation (encyclopedias, glossaries, technical journals, old dictionaries, manuals of all kinds, etc.) were necessary to create DICOBAT, with its 16 definitions and 000 illustrations. The CSTB collaborated in the creation of this new tool by correcting and revising the 3 main definitions.
The success was immediate and has continued to grow ever since, making DICOBAT the benchmark for professionals.