A hypertext link that is created by software on the fly by matching a word or phrase to an existing list. It eliminates the need to predefine links in the text and avoids the underlined words that break the smooth flow of reading a sentence. Virtual hypertext embodies the true meaning of hypertext as coined by Ted Nelson (see hypertext).

This Encyclopedia
The Windows version of this encyclopedia uses virtual hypertext. You can click on a technical single-word or multi-word term anywhere within the body of a definition and jump to that term's definition without predefined links.

AnswerTips from Answers.com
Popular reference site Answers.com lets any Web site become AnswerTips enabled, which allows a visitor on that site to look up the definition of any word they read without predefined links. AnswerTips is activated by adding a small amount of code to the Web site's pages. See smart tags and overlinking.