diff --git a/applications/utilities/mesh/conversion/ccm/foamToCcm/getTimeIndex.H b/applications/utilities/mesh/conversion/ccm/foamToCcm/getTimeIndex.H
index 4547e06457..b8cb089b4b 100644
--- a/applications/utilities/mesh/conversion/ccm/foamToCcm/getTimeIndex.H
+++ b/applications/utilities/mesh/conversion/ccm/foamToCcm/getTimeIndex.H
@@ -21,23 +21,8 @@
 
         if (io.typeHeaderOk<IOdictionary>(true))
         {
-            IOdictionary timeObject
-            (
-                IOobject
-                (
-                    "time",
-                    runTime.timeName(),
-                    "uniform",
-                    runTime,
-                    IOobject::MUST_READ,
-                    IOobject::NO_WRITE,
-                    false
-                )
-            );
-
-            label index;
-            timeObject.lookup("index") >> index;
-            timeName = Foam::name(index);
+            const label timeIndex = IOdictionary(io).get<label>("index");
+            timeName = Foam::name(timeIndex);
         }
         else
         {
@@ -46,4 +31,3 @@
     }
 
     Info<< "\nTime [" << timeName << "] = " << runTime.timeName() << nl;
-
diff --git a/applications/utilities/mesh/conversion/foamToFireMesh/getTimeIndex.H b/applications/utilities/mesh/conversion/foamToFireMesh/getTimeIndex.H
index 11b8993f28..8d6660c96e 100644
--- a/applications/utilities/mesh/conversion/foamToFireMesh/getTimeIndex.H
+++ b/applications/utilities/mesh/conversion/foamToFireMesh/getTimeIndex.H
@@ -21,23 +21,8 @@
 
         if (io.typeHeaderOk<IOdictionary>(true))
         {
-            IOdictionary timeObject
-            (
-                IOobject
-                (
-                    "time",
-                    runTime.timeName(),
-                    "uniform",
-                    runTime,
-                    IOobject::MUST_READ_IF_MODIFIED,
-                    IOobject::NO_WRITE,
-                    false
-                )
-            );
-
-            label index;
-            timeObject.lookup("index") >> index;
-            timeName = Foam::name(index);
+            const label timeIndex = IOdictionary(io).get<label>("index");
+            timeName = Foam::name(timeIndex);
         }
         else
         {
@@ -48,4 +33,3 @@
     }
 
     Info<< "\nTime [" << timeName << "] = " << runTime.timeName() << nl;
-
diff --git a/applications/utilities/mesh/conversion/foamToStarMesh/getTimeIndex.H b/applications/utilities/mesh/conversion/foamToStarMesh/getTimeIndex.H
index 22b31b514c..8d6660c96e 100644
--- a/applications/utilities/mesh/conversion/foamToStarMesh/getTimeIndex.H
+++ b/applications/utilities/mesh/conversion/foamToStarMesh/getTimeIndex.H
@@ -21,23 +21,8 @@
 
         if (io.typeHeaderOk<IOdictionary>(true))
         {
-            IOdictionary timeObject
-            (
-                IOobject
-                (
-                    "time",
-                    runTime.timeName(),
-                    "uniform",
-                    runTime,
-                    IOobject::MUST_READ_IF_MODIFIED,
-                    IOobject::NO_WRITE,
-                    false
-                )
-            );
-
-            label index;
-            timeObject.lookup("index") >> index;
-            timeName = Foam::name(index);
+            const label timeIndex = IOdictionary(io).get<label>("index");
+            timeName = Foam::name(timeIndex);
         }
         else
         {
diff --git a/applications/utilities/mesh/conversion/foamToSurface/getTimeIndex.H b/applications/utilities/mesh/conversion/foamToSurface/getTimeIndex.H
index 22b31b514c..8d6660c96e 100644
--- a/applications/utilities/mesh/conversion/foamToSurface/getTimeIndex.H
+++ b/applications/utilities/mesh/conversion/foamToSurface/getTimeIndex.H
@@ -21,23 +21,8 @@
 
         if (io.typeHeaderOk<IOdictionary>(true))
         {
-            IOdictionary timeObject
-            (
-                IOobject
-                (
-                    "time",
-                    runTime.timeName(),
-                    "uniform",
-                    runTime,
-                    IOobject::MUST_READ_IF_MODIFIED,
-                    IOobject::NO_WRITE,
-                    false
-                )
-            );
-
-            label index;
-            timeObject.lookup("index") >> index;
-            timeName = Foam::name(index);
+            const label timeIndex = IOdictionary(io).get<label>("index");
+            timeName = Foam::name(timeIndex);
         }
         else
         {
diff --git a/applications/utilities/mesh/manipulation/createBaffles/createBaffles.C b/applications/utilities/mesh/manipulation/createBaffles/createBaffles.C
index 0b7de14dd5..47cc8a35a5 100644
--- a/applications/utilities/mesh/manipulation/createBaffles/createBaffles.C
+++ b/applications/utilities/mesh/manipulation/createBaffles/createBaffles.C
@@ -641,7 +641,8 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
                 const dictionary& patchSources = dict.subDict("patches");
                 forAllConstIter(dictionary, patchSources, iter)
                 {
-                    const word patchName(iter().dict()["name"]);
+                    const word patchName(iter().dict().get<word>("name"));
+
                     bafflePatches.insert(patchName);
                 }
             }
@@ -649,6 +650,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
             {
                 const word masterName = selectors[selectorI].name() + "_master";
                 bafflePatches.insert(masterName);
+
                 const word slaveName = selectors[selectorI].name() + "_slave";
                 bafflePatches.insert(slaveName);
             }
@@ -685,7 +687,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
                 const dictionary& patchSources = dict.subDict("patches");
                 forAllConstIter(dictionary, patchSources, iter)
                 {
-                    const word patchName(iter().dict()["name"]);
+                    const word patchName(iter().dict().get<word>("name"));
 
                     if (pbm.findPatchID(patchName) == -1)
                     {
@@ -789,7 +791,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
             bool master = true;
             forAllConstIter(dictionary, patchSources, iter)
             {
-                const word patchName(iter().dict()["name"]);
+                const word patchName(iter().dict().get<word>("name"));
                 label patchi = pbm.findPatchID(patchName);
                 if (master)
                 {
@@ -884,7 +886,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
                 forAllConstIter(dictionary, patchSources, iter)
                 {
-                    const word patchName(iter().dict()["name"]);
+                    const word patchName(iter().dict().get<word>("name"));
                     label patchi = pbm.findPatchID(patchName);
 
                     if (iter().dict().found("patchFields"))
diff --git a/applications/utilities/mesh/manipulation/mergeMeshes/mergePolyMesh.C b/applications/utilities/mesh/manipulation/mergeMeshes/mergePolyMesh.C
index 69ae41748f..122ed48688 100644
--- a/applications/utilities/mesh/manipulation/mergeMeshes/mergePolyMesh.C
+++ b/applications/utilities/mesh/manipulation/mergeMeshes/mergePolyMesh.C
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ Foam::label Foam::mergePolyMesh::patchIndex(const polyPatch& p)
     {
         if (patchNames_[patchi] == pName)
         {
-            if (word(patchDicts_[patchi]["type"]) == pType)
+            if (patchDicts_[patchi].get<word>("type") == pType)
             {
                 // Found name and types match
                 return patchi;
diff --git a/applications/utilities/mesh/manipulation/stitchMesh/stitchMesh.C b/applications/utilities/mesh/manipulation/stitchMesh/stitchMesh.C
index 75d49263ef..f834f3b283 100644
--- a/applications/utilities/mesh/manipulation/stitchMesh/stitchMesh.C
+++ b/applications/utilities/mesh/manipulation/stitchMesh/stitchMesh.C
@@ -320,8 +320,8 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
             }
 
             // Patch names
-            const word masterPatchName(dict["master"]);
-            const word slavePatchName(dict["slave"]);
+            const word masterPatchName(dict.get<word>("master"));
+            const word slavePatchName(dict.get<word>("slave"));
 
             // Patch names
             Info<< "    " <<  masterPatchName
@@ -454,8 +454,8 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
         }
 
         // Patch names
-        const word masterPatchName(dict["master"]);
-        const word slavePatchName(dict["slave"]);
+        const word masterPatchName(dict.get<word>("master"));
+        const word slavePatchName(dict.get<word>("slave"));
 
         // Zone names
         const word mergePatchName(masterPatchName + slavePatchName);
diff --git a/applications/utilities/preProcessing/foamUpgradeCyclics/foamUpgradeCyclics.C b/applications/utilities/preProcessing/foamUpgradeCyclics/foamUpgradeCyclics.C
index 3446d96959..7cff152cd3 100644
--- a/applications/utilities/preProcessing/foamUpgradeCyclics/foamUpgradeCyclics.C
+++ b/applications/utilities/preProcessing/foamUpgradeCyclics/foamUpgradeCyclics.C
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ void rewriteBoundary
     {
         const dictionary& patchDict = patches[patchi].dict();
 
-        if (word(patchDict["type"]) == cyclicPolyPatch::typeName)
+        if (patchDict.get<word>("type") == cyclicPolyPatch::typeName)
         {
             if (!patchDict.found("neighbourPatch"))
             {
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ void rewriteBoundary
 
         if
         (
-            word(patchDict["type"]) == cyclicPolyPatch::typeName
+            patchDict.get<word>("type") == cyclicPolyPatch::typeName
         )
         {
             const word& name = oldPatches[patchi].keyword();
@@ -167,10 +167,10 @@ void rewriteBoundary
             }
             else
             {
-                label nFaces = readLabel(patchDict["nFaces"]);
-                label startFace = readLabel(patchDict["startFace"]);
+                label nFaces = patchDict.get<label>("nFaces");
+                label startFace = patchDict.get<label>("startFace");
 
-                Info<< "Detected old style " << word(patchDict["type"])
+                Info<< "Detected old style " << patchDict.get<word>("type")
                     << " patch " << name << " with" << nl
                     << "    nFaces    : " << nFaces << nl
                     << "    startFace : " << startFace << endl;
@@ -213,17 +213,15 @@ void rewriteBoundary
                 Info<< "Replaced with patches" << nl
                     << patches[patchi].keyword() << " with" << nl
                     << "    nFaces    : "
-                    << readLabel(thisPatchDict.lookup("nFaces"))
-                    << nl
+                    << thisPatchDict.get<label>("nFaces") << nl
                     << "    startFace : "
-                    << readLabel(thisPatchDict.lookup("startFace")) << nl
+                    << thisPatchDict.get<label>("startFace") << nl
                     << patches[addedPatchi].keyword() << " with" << nl
                     << "    nFaces    : "
-                    << readLabel(nbrPatchDict.lookup("nFaces"))
-                    << nl
+                    << nbrPatchDict.get<label>("nFaces") << nl
                     << "    startFace : "
-                    << readLabel(nbrPatchDict.lookup("startFace"))
-                    << nl << endl;
+                    << nbrPatchDict.get<label>("startFace") << nl
+                    << endl;
 
                 addedPatchi++;
             }
diff --git a/applications/utilities/surface/surfaceFeatureExtract/surfaceFeatureExtract.C b/applications/utilities/surface/surfaceFeatureExtract/surfaceFeatureExtract.C
index b06ea808e0..1ec795a231 100644
--- a/applications/utilities/surface/surfaceFeatureExtract/surfaceFeatureExtract.C
+++ b/applications/utilities/surface/surfaceFeatureExtract/surfaceFeatureExtract.C
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
         // message.
         if (surfaceDict.found("surfaces") || !dictName.hasExt())
         {
-            loader.select(wordReList(surfaceDict.lookup("surfaces")));
+            loader.select(surfaceDict.get<wordRes>("surfaces"));
         }
         else
         {
@@ -508,7 +508,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
         boolList surfBaffleRegions(surf.patches().size(), false);
         if (surfaceDict.found("baffles"))
         {
-            wordReList baffleSelect(surfaceDict.lookup("baffles"));
+            wordRes baffleSelect(surfaceDict.get<wordRes>("baffles"));
 
             wordList patchNames(surf.patches().size());
             forAll(surf.patches(), patchi)
@@ -549,7 +549,11 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
         if (surfaceDict.isDict("addFeatures"))
         {
-            const word addFeName = surfaceDict.subDict("addFeatures")["name"];
+            const word addFeName
+            (
+                surfaceDict.subDict("addFeatures").get<word>("name")
+            );
+
             Info<< "Adding (without merging) features from " << addFeName
                 << nl << endl;
 
@@ -736,7 +740,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
                     outputName,
                     feMesh,
                     surf,
-                    readScalar(surfaceDict.lookup("maxFeatureProximity"))
+                    surfaceDict.get<scalar>("maxFeatureProximity")
                 );
 
             if (writeVTK)
diff --git a/src/ODE/ODESolvers/ODESolver/ODESolver.C b/src/ODE/ODESolvers/ODESolver/ODESolver.C
index 1c8df390cb..c593cd2068 100644
--- a/src/ODE/ODESolvers/ODESolver/ODESolver.C
+++ b/src/ODE/ODESolvers/ODESolver/ODESolver.C
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ Foam::ODESolver::ODESolver(const ODESystem& ode, const dictionary& dict)
     n_(ode.nEqns()),
     absTol_(n_, dict.lookupOrDefault<scalar>("absTol", SMALL)),
     relTol_(n_, dict.lookupOrDefault<scalar>("relTol", 1e-4)),
-    maxSteps_(dict.lookupOrDefault<scalar>("maxSteps", 10000))
+    maxSteps_(dict.lookupOrDefault<label>("maxSteps", 10000))
 {}
 
 
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ void Foam::ODESolver::solve
     stepState step(dxTry);
     scalar x = xStart;
 
-    for (label nStep=0; nStep<maxSteps_; nStep++)
+    for (label nStep=0; nStep<maxSteps_; ++nStep)
     {
         // Store previous iteration dxTry
         scalar dxTry0 = step.dxTry;
diff --git a/src/ODE/ODESolvers/ODESolver/ODESolverNew.C b/src/ODE/ODESolvers/ODESolver/ODESolverNew.C
index f4cfc95a2f..b1d453d550 100644
--- a/src/ODE/ODESolvers/ODESolver/ODESolverNew.C
+++ b/src/ODE/ODESolvers/ODESolver/ODESolverNew.C
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ Foam::autoPtr<Foam::ODESolver> Foam::ODESolver::New
     const dictionary& dict
 )
 {
-    const word solverType(dict.lookup("solver"));
+    const word solverType(dict.get<word>("solver"));
     Info<< "Selecting ODE solver " << solverType << endl;
 
     auto cstrIter = dictionaryConstructorTablePtr_->cfind(solverType);
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/dictionary.C b/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/dictionary.C
index 116a158bfa..f0230ab1af 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/dictionary.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/dictionary.C
@@ -810,12 +810,6 @@ void Foam::dictionary::transfer(dictionary& dict)
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Operators  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-Foam::ITstream& Foam::dictionary::operator[](const word& keyword) const
-{
-    return lookup(keyword);
-}
-
-
 void Foam::dictionary::operator=(const dictionary& rhs)
 {
     if (this == &rhs)
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/dictionary.H b/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/dictionary.H
index 2a8f95ec25..cf3f175583 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/dictionary.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/dictionary.H
@@ -1113,11 +1113,13 @@ public:
     // Member Operators
 
         //- Find and return an entry data stream (identical to #lookup method).
-        //  Default search: non-recursive with patterns.
+        //  Search: non-recursive with patterns.
         //
-        //  \param recursive search parent dictionaries
-        //  \param patternMatch use regular expressions
-        ITstream& operator[](const word& keyword) const;
+        //  \deprecated use lookup() method instead (deprecated JUL-2018)
+        ITstream& operator[](const word& keyword) const
+        {
+            return lookup(keyword);
+        }
 
         //- Copy assignment
         void operator=(const dictionary& rhs);
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/dimensionSet/dimensionSetIO.C b/src/OpenFOAM/dimensionSet/dimensionSetIO.C
index e84eaf25c1..57c0e80692 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/dimensionSet/dimensionSetIO.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/dimensionSet/dimensionSetIO.C
@@ -544,7 +544,7 @@ Foam::Istream& Foam::dimensionSet::read
                 scalar exponent = readScalar(exp);
 
                 dimensionedScalar s;
-                s.read(readSet[symbol], readSet);
+                s.read(readSet.lookup(symbol), readSet);
 
                 symbolSet.reset(pow(s.dimensions(), exponent));
                 // Round to nearest integer if close to it
@@ -554,7 +554,7 @@ Foam::Istream& Foam::dimensionSet::read
             else
             {
                 dimensionedScalar s;
-                s.read(readSet[symbolPow], readSet);
+                s.read(readSet.lookup(symbolPow), readSet);
 
                 symbolSet.reset(s.dimensions());
                 multiplier *= s.value();
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/global/argList/argList.C b/src/OpenFOAM/global/argList/argList.C
index f8fc431126..dfd8d6c32a 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/global/argList/argList.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/global/argList/argList.C
@@ -966,24 +966,15 @@ void Foam::argList::parse
     // 5. '-fileHandler' commmand-line option
 
     {
-        word handlerType
-        (
-            options_.lookup("fileHandler", getEnv("FOAM_FILEHANDLER"))
-        );
+        word handlerType =
+            options_.lookup("fileHandler", getEnv("FOAM_FILEHANDLER"));
 
         if (handlerType.empty())
         {
             handlerType = fileOperation::defaultFileHandler;
         }
 
-        autoPtr<fileOperation> handler
-        (
-            fileOperation::New
-            (
-                handlerType,
-                bannerEnabled()
-            )
-        );
+        auto handler = fileOperation::New(handlerType, bannerEnabled());
         Foam::fileHandler(handler);
     }
 
@@ -1159,15 +1150,12 @@ void Foam::argList::parse
 
                 dictionary decompDict(decompDictStream);
 
-                dictNProcs = readLabel
-                (
-                    decompDict.lookup("numberOfSubdomains")
-                );
+                dictNProcs = decompDict.get<label>("numberOfSubdomains");
 
                 if (decompDict.lookupOrDefault("distributed", false))
                 {
                     distributed_ = true;
-                    decompDict.lookup("roots") >> roots;
+                    decompDict.read("roots", roots);
                 }
             }
 
@@ -1700,8 +1688,8 @@ void Foam::argList::printCompat() const
 void Foam::argList::displayDoc(bool source) const
 {
     const dictionary& docDict = debug::controlDict().subDict("Documentation");
-    List<fileName> docDirs(docDict.lookup("doxyDocDirs"));
-    fileName docExt(docDict.lookup("doxySourceFileExt"));
+    fileNameList docDirs(docDict.get<fileNameList>("doxyDocDirs"));
+    fileName docExt(docDict.get<fileName>("doxySourceFileExt"));
 
     // For source code: change xxx_8C.html to xxx_8C_source.html
     if (source)
@@ -1746,7 +1734,7 @@ void Foam::argList::displayDoc(bool source) const
     string docBrowser = getEnv("FOAM_DOC_BROWSER");
     if (docBrowser.empty())
     {
-        docDict.lookup("docBrowser") >> docBrowser;
+        docDict.read("docBrowser", docBrowser);
     }
 
     // Can use FOAM_DOC_BROWSER='application file://%f' if required
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/global/constants/dimensionedConstants.C b/src/OpenFOAM/global/constants/dimensionedConstants.C
index 357cbc81da..56527dbfd6 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/global/constants/dimensionedConstants.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/global/constants/dimensionedConstants.C
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ dimensionedScalar dimensionedConstant
             << std::endl;
     }
 
-    const word unitSetCoeffs(word(dict.lookup("unitSet")) + "Coeffs");
+    const word unitSetCoeffs(dict.get<word>("unitSet") + "Coeffs");
 
     if (!dict.found(unitSetCoeffs))
     {
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperation/fileOperation.C b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperation/fileOperation.C
index d9f25fd2e2..4d316457b1 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperation/fileOperation.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperation/fileOperation.C
@@ -1179,7 +1179,7 @@ const Foam::fileOperation& Foam::fileHandler()
     {
         word handler(getEnv("FOAM_FILEHANDLER"));
 
-        if (!handler.size())
+        if (handler.empty())
         {
             handler = fileOperation::defaultFileHandler;
         }
@@ -1191,14 +1191,14 @@ const Foam::fileOperation& Foam::fileHandler()
 }
 
 
-void Foam::fileHandler(autoPtr<fileOperation>& newHandlerPtr)
+void Foam::fileHandler(autoPtr<fileOperation>& newHandler)
 {
     if (fileOperation::fileHandlerPtr_.valid())
     {
         if
         (
-            newHandlerPtr.valid()
-         && newHandlerPtr->type() == fileOperation::fileHandlerPtr_->type()
+            newHandler.valid()
+         && newHandler->type() == fileOperation::fileHandlerPtr_->type()
         )
         {
             return;
@@ -1206,9 +1206,9 @@ void Foam::fileHandler(autoPtr<fileOperation>& newHandlerPtr)
     }
     fileOperation::fileHandlerPtr_.clear();
 
-    if (newHandlerPtr.valid())
+    if (newHandler.valid())
     {
-        fileOperation::fileHandlerPtr_ = std::move(newHandlerPtr);
+        fileOperation::fileHandlerPtr_ = std::move(newHandler);
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperation/fileOperation.H b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperation/fileOperation.H
index 971cf72853..7fe73b8e5c 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperation/fileOperation.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperation/fileOperation.H
@@ -563,7 +563,7 @@ public:
 const fileOperation& fileHandler();
 
 //- Reset file handler
-void fileHandler(autoPtr<fileOperation>&);
+void fileHandler(autoPtr<fileOperation>& newHandler);
 
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
diff --git a/src/conversion/ccm/reader/ccmReader.C b/src/conversion/ccm/reader/ccmReader.C
index 4db674ed2e..444b01a796 100644
--- a/src/conversion/ccm/reader/ccmReader.C
+++ b/src/conversion/ccm/reader/ccmReader.C
@@ -402,7 +402,7 @@ void Foam::ccm::reader::readProblemDescription_boundaryRegion
             )
             {
                 // Fallback
-                str = word(dict["BoundaryType"]) + "_" + ::Foam::name(Id);
+                str = dict.get<word>("BoundaryType") + "_" + ::Foam::name(Id);
             }
 
             if (!str.empty())
diff --git a/src/conversion/ccm/reader/ccmReaderMesh.C b/src/conversion/ccm/reader/ccmReaderMesh.C
index c1772fed75..a1b7e498cd 100644
--- a/src/conversion/ccm/reader/ccmReaderMesh.C
+++ b/src/conversion/ccm/reader/ccmReaderMesh.C
@@ -480,8 +480,10 @@ void Foam::ccm::reader::readCells
         auto dictIter = boundaryRegion_.find(info.ccmIndex);
         if (dictIter.found())
         {
-            word patchName(dictIter()["Label"]);
-            word patchType(dictIter()["BoundaryType"]);
+            dictionary& dict = dictIter.object();
+
+            const word patchName(dict.get<word>("Label"));
+            const word patchType(dict.get<word>("BoundaryType"));
 
             if (!patchName.empty())
             {
@@ -494,8 +496,8 @@ void Foam::ccm::reader::readCells
             }
 
             // Optional, but potentially useful information:
-            dictIter().add("BoundaryIndex", info.ccmIndex);
-            dictIter().add("size", info.size);
+            dict.add("BoundaryIndex", info.ccmIndex);
+            dict.add("size", info.size);
         }
 
         bndInfo.append(info);
@@ -1039,7 +1041,7 @@ void Foam::ccm::reader::readMonitoring
             word zoneName;
             if (iter.found())
             {
-                iter().lookup("Label") >> zoneName;
+                iter().read("Label", zoneName);
             }
             else
             {
@@ -2415,7 +2417,7 @@ void Foam::ccm::reader::addPatches
     // provide some fallback values
     forAll(newPatches, patchI)
     {
-        word fallbackName("patch" + Foam::name(patchI));
+        const word fallbackName("patch" + Foam::name(patchI));
         word patchName;
         word patchType;
 
@@ -2423,8 +2425,8 @@ void Foam::ccm::reader::addPatches
 
         if (citer.found())
         {
-            citer().lookup("Label") >> patchName;
-            citer().lookup("BoundaryType") >> patchType;
+            citer().read("Label", patchName);
+            citer().read("BoundaryType", patchType);
         }
         else
         {
diff --git a/src/conversion/ccm/writer/ccmWriter.C b/src/conversion/ccm/writer/ccmWriter.C
index ef3e8c51a2..063b893b48 100644
--- a/src/conversion/ccm/writer/ccmWriter.C
+++ b/src/conversion/ccm/writer/ccmWriter.C
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   =========                 |
   \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
    \\    /   O peration     |
-    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2016 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2016-2018 OpenCFD Ltd.
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ License
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Data Members * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-// name for the topology file reference
+// Name for the topology file reference
 Foam::string Foam::ccm::writer::defaultMeshName = "meshExport";
 
 
@@ -98,21 +98,17 @@ void Foam::ccm::writer::writeBoundaryRegion
     forAllConstIters(boundaryRegion_, iter)
     {
         const dictionary& dict = iter();
+        word nameEntry;
+        word typeEntry;
+
         if
         (
-            dict.found("Label")
-         && dict.found("BoundaryType")
+            dict.readIfPresent("Label", nameEntry)
+         && dict.readIfPresent("BoundaryType", typeEntry)
+         && !typeDict.found(nameEntry)
         )
         {
-            word nameEntry, typeEntry;
-
-            dict.lookup("Label") >> nameEntry;
-            dict.lookup("BoundaryType") >> typeEntry;
-
-            if (!typeDict.found(nameEntry))
-            {
-                typeDict.add(nameEntry, typeEntry);
-            }
+            typeDict.add(nameEntry, typeEntry);
         }
     }
 
@@ -160,7 +156,7 @@ void Foam::ccm::writer::writeBoundaryRegion
         }
         else if (defaultId == -1 || regionId < defaultId)
         {
-            regionId++;
+            ++regionId;
         }
 
         // Use BoundaryType from constant/boundaryRegion
@@ -223,15 +219,15 @@ void Foam::ccm::writer::writeCellTable
         );
 
         wordList toc = dict.toc();
-        forAll(toc, i)
+        for (const word& keyword : toc)
         {
-            word keyword = toc[i];
             int pos = keyword.find("Id");
 
             // Tags containing 'Id' are integers
             if (pos > 0)
             {
-                dict.lookup(keyword) >> intVal;
+                dict.read(keyword, intVal);
+
                 CCMIOWriteOpti
                 (
                     nullptr,
@@ -242,8 +238,7 @@ void Foam::ccm::writer::writeCellTable
             }
             else if (pos < 0)
             {
-                word strVal;
-                dict.lookup(keyword) >> strVal;
+                const word strVal(dict.get<word>(keyword));
 
                 CCMIOWriteOptstr
                 (
diff --git a/src/conversion/ccm/writer/ccmWriterSolution.C b/src/conversion/ccm/writer/ccmWriterSolution.C
index a4a04aed78..5a48e864e6 100644
--- a/src/conversion/ccm/writer/ccmWriterSolution.C
+++ b/src/conversion/ccm/writer/ccmWriterSolution.C
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   =========                 |
   \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
    \\    /   O peration     |
-    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2016 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2016-2018 OpenCFD Ltd.
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
@@ -352,7 +352,6 @@ void Foam::ccm::writer::writeSolution
         // Get time information
         const Time& runTime = mesh_.time();
         label timeIndex = 0;
-        // scalar timeValue = runTime.timeName();
         if
         (
             runTime.timeName() != runTime.constant()
@@ -372,21 +371,7 @@ void Foam::ccm::writer::writeSolution
 
             if (io.typeHeaderOk<IOdictionary>(true))
             {
-                IOdictionary timeObject
-                (
-                    IOobject
-                    (
-                        "time",
-                        runTime.timeName(),
-                        "uniform",
-                        runTime,
-                        IOobject::MUST_READ,
-                        IOobject::NO_WRITE,
-                        false
-                    )
-                );
-
-                timeObject.lookup("index") >> timeIndex;
+                timeIndex = IOdictionary(io).get<label>("index");
             }
         }
 
@@ -463,7 +448,7 @@ void Foam::ccm::writer::writeSolution
         &phaseNode
     );
 
-    forAllConstIter(IOobjectList, objects, iter)
+    forAllConstIters(objects, iter)
     {
         word fieldName = (*iter()).name();
         bool variableGood =
diff --git a/src/conversion/common/tables/boundaryRegion.C b/src/conversion/common/tables/boundaryRegion.C
index f3f01d7d57..9350e76245 100644
--- a/src/conversion/common/tables/boundaryRegion.C
+++ b/src/conversion/common/tables/boundaryRegion.C
@@ -272,7 +272,7 @@ void Foam::boundaryRegion::rename(const dictionary& mapDict)
         dictionary& dict = operator[](iter.key());
 
         Info<< "rename patch: " << iter()
-            << " <- " << word(dict.lookup("Label")) << nl;
+            << " <- " << dict.get<word>("Label") << nl;
 
         dict.set("Label", iter());
     }
diff --git a/src/mesh/snappyHexMesh/refinementFeatures/refinementFeatures.C b/src/mesh/snappyHexMesh/refinementFeatures/refinementFeatures.C
index 8665ee4d38..d9cb3ecddf 100644
--- a/src/mesh/snappyHexMesh/refinementFeatures/refinementFeatures.C
+++ b/src/mesh/snappyHexMesh/refinementFeatures/refinementFeatures.C
@@ -186,13 +186,13 @@ void Foam::refinementFeatures::read
 
         if (dict.found("levels"))
         {
-            List<Tuple2<scalar, label>> distLevels(dict["levels"]);
+            List<Tuple2<scalar, label>> distLevels(dict.lookup("levels"));
 
             if (dict.size() < 1)
             {
                 FatalErrorInFunction
                     << " : levels should be at least size 1" << endl
-                    << "levels : "  << dict["levels"]
+                    << "levels : "  << dict.lookup("levels")
                     << exit(FatalError);
             }
 
diff --git a/src/sampling/probes/patchProbes.C b/src/sampling/probes/patchProbes.C
index dbc486a9ea..10f7db8f7a 100644
--- a/src/sampling/probes/patchProbes.C
+++ b/src/sampling/probes/patchProbes.C
@@ -265,8 +265,8 @@ bool Foam::patchProbes::read(const dictionary& dict)
 {
     if (!dict.readIfPresent("patches", patchNames_))
     {
-        patchNames_.setSize(1);
-        patchNames_[0] = wordRe(word(dict.lookup("patch")));
+        patchNames_.resize(1);
+        patchNames_.first() = dict.get<word>("patch");
     }
 
     return probes::read(dict);
diff --git a/src/sampling/probes/probes.C b/src/sampling/probes/probes.C
index 8da9d44538..f83233b830 100644
--- a/src/sampling/probes/probes.C
+++ b/src/sampling/probes/probes.C
@@ -315,8 +315,8 @@ Foam::probes::probes
 
 bool Foam::probes::read(const dictionary& dict)
 {
-    dict.lookup("probeLocations") >> *this;
-    dict.lookup("fields") >> fieldSelection_;
+    dict.read("probeLocations", static_cast<pointField&>(*this));
+    dict.read("fields", fieldSelection_);
 
     dict.readIfPresent("fixedLocations", fixedLocations_);
     if (dict.readIfPresent("interpolationScheme", interpolationScheme_))
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSet/array/arraySet.C b/src/sampling/sampledSet/array/arraySet.C
index 6c32f51bb1..c4a25e3937 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSet/array/arraySet.C
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSet/array/arraySet.C
@@ -175,8 +175,8 @@ Foam::arraySet::arraySet
 :
     sampledSet(name, mesh, searchEngine, dict),
     coordSys_(dict),
-    pointsDensity_(dict.lookup("pointsDensity")),
-    spanBox_(dict.lookup("spanBox"))
+    pointsDensity_(dict.get<labelVector>("pointsDensity")),
+    spanBox_(dict.get<vector>("spanBox"))
 {
     genSamples();
 }
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSet/array/arraySet.H b/src/sampling/sampledSet/array/arraySet.H
index 2954348728..c176993891 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSet/array/arraySet.H
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSet/array/arraySet.H
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ SourceFiles
 #define arraySet_H
 
 #include "sampledSet.H"
+#include "labelVector.H"
 #include "DynamicList.H"
 #include "coordinateSystem.H"
 
@@ -73,10 +74,10 @@ class arraySet
         coordinateSystem coordSys_;
 
         //- Point density vector
-        Vector<label> pointsDensity_;
+        labelVector pointsDensity_;
 
         //- Span box
-        Vector<scalar> spanBox_;
+        vector spanBox_;
 
 
     // Private Member Functions
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSet/circle/circleSet.C b/src/sampling/sampledSet/circle/circleSet.C
index ee30a5a90a..b5387e23ca 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSet/circle/circleSet.C
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSet/circle/circleSet.C
@@ -198,14 +198,11 @@ Foam::circleSet::circleSet
 )
 :
     sampledSet(name, mesh, searchEngine, dict),
-    origin_(dict.lookup("origin")),
-    circleAxis_(dict.lookup("circleAxis")),
-    startPoint_(dict.lookup("startPoint")),
+    origin_(dict.get<point>("origin")),
+    circleAxis_(normalised(dict.get<vector>("circleAxis"))),
+    startPoint_(dict.get<point>("startPoint")),
     dTheta_(dict.get<scalar>("dTheta"))
 {
-    // Normalise circleAxis
-    circleAxis_ /= mag(circleAxis_);
-
     genSamples();
 }
 
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSet/cloud/cloudSet.C b/src/sampling/sampledSet/cloud/cloudSet.C
index 8232696a03..cb00e39b2a 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSet/cloud/cloudSet.C
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSet/cloud/cloudSet.C
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ Foam::cloudSet::cloudSet
 )
 :
     sampledSet(name, mesh, searchEngine, dict),
-    sampleCoords_(dict.lookup("points"))
+    sampleCoords_(dict.get<pointField>("points"))
 {
     genSamples();
 }
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSet/cloud/cloudSet.H b/src/sampling/sampledSet/cloud/cloudSet.H
index b4f5a33481..a2657b564c 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSet/cloud/cloudSet.H
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSet/cloud/cloudSet.H
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ class cloudSet
     // Private data
 
         //- Sampling points
-        List<point> sampleCoords_;
+        pointField sampleCoords_;
 
 
     // Private Member Functions
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSet/face/faceOnlySet.C b/src/sampling/sampledSet/face/faceOnlySet.C
index f259200d94..78968e205a 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSet/face/faceOnlySet.C
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSet/face/faceOnlySet.C
@@ -359,8 +359,8 @@ Foam::faceOnlySet::faceOnlySet
 )
 :
     sampledSet(name, mesh, searchEngine, dict),
-    start_(dict.lookup("start")),
-    end_(dict.lookup("end"))
+    start_(dict.get<point>("start")),
+    end_(dict.get<point>("end"))
 {
     genSamples();
 }
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSet/patchCloud/patchCloudSet.C b/src/sampling/sampledSet/patchCloud/patchCloudSet.C
index cb41e1fb72..2b7cf6c125 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSet/patchCloud/patchCloudSet.C
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSet/patchCloud/patchCloudSet.C
@@ -295,13 +295,10 @@ Foam::patchCloudSet::patchCloudSet
 )
 :
     sampledSet(name, mesh, searchEngine, dict),
-    sampleCoords_(dict.lookup("points")),
+    sampleCoords_(dict.get<pointField>("points")),
     patchSet_
     (
-        mesh.boundaryMesh().patchSet
-        (
-            wordReList(dict.lookup("patches"))
-        )
+        mesh.boundaryMesh().patchSet(dict.get<wordRes>("patches"))
     ),
     searchDist_(dict.get<scalar>("maxDistance"))
 {
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSet/patchCloud/patchCloudSet.H b/src/sampling/sampledSet/patchCloud/patchCloudSet.H
index 498b02d943..a4f78797d4 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSet/patchCloud/patchCloudSet.H
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSet/patchCloud/patchCloudSet.H
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ class patchCloudSet
     // Private data
 
         //- Sampling points
-        const List<point> sampleCoords_;
+        const pointField sampleCoords_;
 
         //- Patches to sample
         const labelHashSet patchSet_;
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSet/patchSeed/patchSeedSet.C b/src/sampling/sampledSet/patchSeed/patchSeedSet.C
index ed03419c9e..1d29ac98b6 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSet/patchSeed/patchSeedSet.C
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSet/patchSeed/patchSeedSet.C
@@ -346,10 +346,7 @@ Foam::patchSeedSet::patchSeedSet
     sampledSet(name, mesh, searchEngine, dict),
     patchSet_
     (
-        mesh.boundaryMesh().patchSet
-        (
-            wordReList(dict.lookup("patches"))
-        )
+        mesh.boundaryMesh().patchSet(dict.get<wordRes>("patches"))
     ),
     maxPoints_(dict.get<label>("maxPoints")),
     selectedLocations_
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSet/polyLine/polyLineSet.C b/src/sampling/sampledSet/polyLine/polyLineSet.C
index 21253f929d..b8bd247fd4 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSet/polyLine/polyLineSet.C
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSet/polyLine/polyLineSet.C
@@ -368,7 +368,7 @@ Foam::polyLineSet::polyLineSet
 )
 :
     sampledSet(name, mesh, searchEngine, dict),
-    sampleCoords_(dict.lookup("points"))
+    sampleCoords_(dict.get<pointField>("points"))
 {
     genSamples();
 }
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSet/polyLine/polyLineSet.H b/src/sampling/sampledSet/polyLine/polyLineSet.H
index d984ce5da1..b39ab5a461 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSet/polyLine/polyLineSet.H
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSet/polyLine/polyLineSet.H
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ class polyLineSet
     // Private data
 
         //- Sampling points
-        List<point> sampleCoords_;
+        pointField sampleCoords_;
 
 
     // Private Member Functions
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSet/sampledSets/sampledSets.C b/src/sampling/sampledSet/sampledSets/sampledSets.C
index f706f38486..3b948c612d 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSet/sampledSets/sampledSets.C
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSet/sampledSets/sampledSets.C
@@ -224,14 +224,13 @@ bool Foam::sampledSets::read(const dictionary& dict)
 {
     dict_ = dict;
 
-    bool setsFound = dict_.found("sets");
-    if (setsFound)
+    if (dict_.found("sets"))
     {
-        dict_.lookup("fields") >> fieldSelection_;
+        dict_.read("fields", fieldSelection_);
         clearFieldGroups();
 
-        dict.lookup("interpolationScheme") >> interpolationScheme_;
-        dict.lookup("setFormat") >> writeFormat_;
+        dict.read("interpolationScheme", interpolationScheme_);
+        dict.read("setFormat", writeFormat_);
 
         PtrList<sampledSet> newList
         (
@@ -270,8 +269,7 @@ bool Foam::sampledSets::read(const dictionary& dict)
 
 void Foam::sampledSets::correct()
 {
-    bool setsFound = dict_.found("sets");
-    if (setsFound)
+    if (dict_.found("sets"))
     {
         searchEngine_.correct();
 
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSet/shortestPath/shortestPathSet.C b/src/sampling/sampledSet/shortestPath/shortestPathSet.C
index 778fd7aab4..2cf4276fdf 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSet/shortestPath/shortestPathSet.C
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSet/shortestPath/shortestPathSet.C
@@ -325,8 +325,8 @@ Foam::shortestPathSet::shortestPathSet
 )
 :
     sampledSet(name, mesh, searchEngine, dict),
-    insidePoints_(dict.lookup("insidePoints")),
-    outsidePoints_(dict.lookup("outsidePoints"))
+    insidePoints_(dict.get<pointField>("insidePoints")),
+    outsidePoints_(dict.get<pointField>("outsidePoints"))
 {
     genSamples(mesh);
 }
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSet/uniform/uniformSet.C b/src/sampling/sampledSet/uniform/uniformSet.C
index 73575c7781..411ce8a10c 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSet/uniform/uniformSet.C
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSet/uniform/uniformSet.C
@@ -440,8 +440,8 @@ Foam::uniformSet::uniformSet
 )
 :
     sampledSet(name, mesh, searchEngine, dict),
-    start_(dict.lookup("start")),
-    end_(dict.lookup("end")),
+    start_(dict.get<point>("start")),
+    end_(dict.get<point>("end")),
     nPoints_(dict.get<label>("nPoints"))
 {
     genSamples();
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/isoSurface/sampledIsoSurface.C b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/isoSurface/sampledIsoSurface.C
index 17bebb0043..7660302235 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/isoSurface/sampledIsoSurface.C
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/isoSurface/sampledIsoSurface.C
@@ -466,8 +466,8 @@ Foam::sampledIsoSurface::sampledIsoSurface
 )
 :
     sampledSurface(name, mesh, dict),
-    isoField_(dict.lookup("isoField")),
-    isoVal_(readScalar(dict.lookup("isoValue"))),
+    isoField_(dict.get<word>("isoField")),
+    isoVal_(dict.get<scalar>("isoValue")),
     bounds_(dict.lookupOrDefault("bounds", boundBox::invertedBox)),
     mergeTol_(dict.lookupOrDefault("mergeTol", 1e-6)),
     regularise_(dict.lookupOrDefault("regularise", true)),
@@ -491,7 +491,7 @@ Foam::sampledIsoSurface::sampledIsoSurface
 
     if (zoneID_.index() != -1)
     {
-        dict.lookup("exposedPatchName") >> exposedPatchName_;
+        dict.read("exposedPatchName", exposedPatchName_);
 
         if (mesh.boundaryMesh().findPatchID(exposedPatchName_) == -1)
         {
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/isoSurface/sampledIsoSurfaceCell.C b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/isoSurface/sampledIsoSurfaceCell.C
index 0c329b200e..cd869ea898 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/isoSurface/sampledIsoSurfaceCell.C
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/isoSurface/sampledIsoSurfaceCell.C
@@ -196,8 +196,8 @@ Foam::sampledIsoSurfaceCell::sampledIsoSurfaceCell
 :
     sampledSurface(name, mesh, dict),
     MeshStorage(),
-    isoField_(dict.lookup("isoField")),
-    isoVal_(readScalar(dict.lookup("isoValue"))),
+    isoField_(dict.get<word>("isoField")),
+    isoVal_(dict.get<scalar>("isoValue")),
     bounds_(dict.lookupOrDefault("bounds", boundBox::invertedBox)),
     regularise_(dict.lookupOrDefault("regularise", true)),
     average_(dict.lookupOrDefault("average", true)),
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledCuttingPlane/sampledCuttingPlane.C b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledCuttingPlane/sampledCuttingPlane.C
index f92e21de37..82be69303b 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledCuttingPlane/sampledCuttingPlane.C
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledCuttingPlane/sampledCuttingPlane.C
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@ Foam::sampledCuttingPlane::sampledCuttingPlane
 {
     if (zoneID_.index() != -1)
     {
-        dict.lookup("exposedPatchName") >> exposedPatchName_;
+        dict.read("exposedPatchName", exposedPatchName_);
 
         if (mesh.boundaryMesh().findPatchID(exposedPatchName_) == -1)
         {
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledPatch/sampledPatch.C b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledPatch/sampledPatch.C
index f778e8a42d..4b3b27a024 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledPatch/sampledPatch.C
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledPatch/sampledPatch.C
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ Foam::sampledPatch::sampledPatch
 )
 :
     sampledSurface(name, mesh, dict),
-    patchNames_(dict.lookup("patches")),
+    patchNames_(dict.get<wordRes>("patches")),
     triangulate_(dict.lookupOrDefault("triangulate", false)),
     needsUpdate_(true)
 {}
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledPatchInternalField/sampledPatchInternalField.C b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledPatchInternalField/sampledPatchInternalField.C
index 46b65703e1..7ebff4e1b2 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledPatchInternalField/sampledPatchInternalField.C
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledPatchInternalField/sampledPatchInternalField.C
@@ -61,17 +61,14 @@ Foam::sampledPatchInternalField::sampledPatchInternalField
     mappedPatchBase::offsetMode mode = mappedPatchBase::NORMAL;
     if (dict.found("offsetMode"))
     {
-        mode = mappedPatchBase::offsetModeNames_.read
-        (
-            dict.lookup("offsetMode")
-        );
+        mode = mappedPatchBase::offsetModeNames_.lookup("offsetMode", dict);
     }
 
     switch (mode)
     {
         case mappedPatchBase::NORMAL:
         {
-            const scalar distance = readScalar(dict.lookup("distance"));
+            const scalar distance(dict.get<scalar>("distance"));
             forAll(patchIDs(), i)
             {
                 mappers_.set
@@ -92,7 +89,7 @@ Foam::sampledPatchInternalField::sampledPatchInternalField
 
         case mappedPatchBase::UNIFORM:
         {
-            const point offset(dict.lookup("offset"));
+            const point offset(dict.get<point>("offset"));
             forAll(patchIDs(), i)
             {
                 mappers_.set
@@ -113,7 +110,7 @@ Foam::sampledPatchInternalField::sampledPatchInternalField
 
         case mappedPatchBase::NONUNIFORM:
         {
-            const pointField offsets(dict.lookup("offsets"));
+            const pointField offsets(dict.get<pointField>("offsets"));
             forAll(patchIDs(), i)
             {
                 mappers_.set
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledSurface/sampledSurface.C b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledSurface/sampledSurface.C
index 83ed4511d3..69184fa467 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledSurface/sampledSurface.C
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledSurface/sampledSurface.C
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ Foam::autoPtr<Foam::sampledSurface> Foam::sampledSurface::New
     const dictionary& dict
 )
 {
-    const word sampleType(dict.lookup("type"));
+    const word sampleType(dict.get<word>("type"));
 
     if (debug)
     {
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledSurfaces/sampledSurfaces.C b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledSurfaces/sampledSurfaces.C
index 1955a83315..06ac06c664 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledSurfaces/sampledSurfaces.C
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledSurfaces/sampledSurfaces.C
@@ -259,11 +259,11 @@ bool Foam::sampledSurfaces::read(const dictionary& dict)
     {
         sampleFaceScheme_ = dict.lookupOrDefault<word>("sampleScheme", "cell");
 
-        dict.lookup("interpolationScheme") >> sampleNodeScheme_;
+        dict.read("interpolationScheme", sampleNodeScheme_);
 
-        dict.lookup("fields") >> fieldSelection_;
+        dict.read("fields", fieldSelection_);
 
-        const word writeType(dict.lookup("surfaceFormat"));
+        const word writeType(dict.get<word>("surfaceFormat"));
 
         // Define the surface formatter
         // Optionally defined extra controls for the output formats
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledTriSurfaceMesh/sampledTriSurfaceMesh.C b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledTriSurfaceMesh/sampledTriSurfaceMesh.C
index 93a5eb7103..2a666f29cc 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledTriSurfaceMesh/sampledTriSurfaceMesh.C
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/sampledTriSurfaceMesh/sampledTriSurfaceMesh.C
@@ -668,7 +668,7 @@ Foam::sampledTriSurfaceMesh::sampledTriSurfaceMesh
     (
         IOobject
         (
-            dict.lookup("surface"),
+            dict.get<word>("surface"),
             mesh.time().constant(), // instance
             "triSurface",           // local
             mesh.time(),            // registry
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/thresholdCellFaces/sampledThresholdCellFaces.C b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/thresholdCellFaces/sampledThresholdCellFaces.C
index 7b7a2f185f..0bb7e2b65b 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/thresholdCellFaces/sampledThresholdCellFaces.C
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/thresholdCellFaces/sampledThresholdCellFaces.C
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ Foam::sampledThresholdCellFaces::sampledThresholdCellFaces
 )
 :
     sampledSurface(name, mesh, dict),
-    fieldName_(dict.lookup("field")),
+    fieldName_(dict.get<word>("field")),
     lowerThreshold_(dict.lookupOrDefault<scalar>("lowerLimit", -VGREAT)),
     upperThreshold_(dict.lookupOrDefault<scalar>("upperLimit", VGREAT)),
     zoneKey_(keyType::null),
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/ensight/ensightSurfaceWriterTemplates.C b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/ensight/ensightSurfaceWriterTemplates.C
index 1066c4135a..08d36191ca 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/ensight/ensightSurfaceWriterTemplates.C
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/ensight/ensightSurfaceWriterTemplates.C
@@ -349,7 +349,7 @@ Foam::fileName Foam::ensightSurfaceWriter::writeCollated
             forAllConstIter(dictionary, fieldsDict, iter)
             {
                 const dictionary& subDict = iter().dict();
-                const word fieldType(subDict.lookup("type"));
+                const word fieldType(subDict.get<word>("type"));
                 const word varName = subDict.lookupOrDefault
                 (
                     "name",
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/nastran/nastranSurfaceWriter.C b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/nastran/nastranSurfaceWriter.C
index ce020e1dd3..cd63d2a58f 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/nastran/nastranSurfaceWriter.C
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/nastran/nastranSurfaceWriter.C
@@ -342,7 +342,8 @@ Foam::nastranSurfaceWriter::nastranSurfaceWriter(const dictionary& options)
         separator_ = ",";
     }
 
-    List<Pair<word>> fieldPairs(options.lookup("fields"));
+    List<Pair<word>> fieldPairs;
+    options.read("fields", fieldPairs);
 
     for (const Pair<word>& item : fieldPairs)
     {
diff --git a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/raw/rawSurfaceWriter.C b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/raw/rawSurfaceWriter.C
index 998819d3ea..9acdae01ed 100644
--- a/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/raw/rawSurfaceWriter.C
+++ b/src/sampling/sampledSurface/writers/raw/rawSurfaceWriter.C
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ Foam::rawSurfaceWriter::rawSurfaceWriter(const dictionary& options)
     if (options.found("compression"))
     {
         writeCompression_ =
-            IOstream::compressionEnum(options.lookup("compression"));
+            IOstream::compressionEnum(options.get<word>("compression"));
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/sampling/surfMeshSample/surfMeshSample/surfMeshSample.C b/src/sampling/surfMeshSample/surfMeshSample/surfMeshSample.C
index 16194698fb..e22356a7fe 100644
--- a/src/sampling/surfMeshSample/surfMeshSample/surfMeshSample.C
+++ b/src/sampling/surfMeshSample/surfMeshSample/surfMeshSample.C
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ Foam::surfMeshSample::New
     const dictionary& dict
 )
 {
-    const word sampleType(dict.lookup("type"));
+    const word sampleType(dict.get<word>("type"));
 
     auto cstrIter = wordConstructorTablePtr_->cfind(sampleType);
 
diff --git a/src/sampling/surfMeshSample/surfMeshSamplers/surfMeshSamplers.C b/src/sampling/surfMeshSample/surfMeshSamplers/surfMeshSamplers.C
index a649d4f03d..e6ca023944 100644
--- a/src/sampling/surfMeshSample/surfMeshSamplers/surfMeshSamplers.C
+++ b/src/sampling/surfMeshSample/surfMeshSamplers/surfMeshSamplers.C
@@ -348,7 +348,7 @@ bool Foam::surfMeshSamplers::read(const dictionary& dict)
     {
         sampleScheme_ = dict.lookupOrDefault<word>("sampleScheme", "cell");
 
-        dict.lookup("fields") >> fieldSelection_;
+        dict.read("fields", fieldSelection_);
         fieldSelection_.uniq();
 
         Info<< type() << " fields:  " << flatOutput(fieldSelection_) << nl;
diff --git a/src/sampling/surface/distanceSurface/distanceSurface.C b/src/sampling/surface/distanceSurface/distanceSurface.C
index c6960bb81a..e22cf4fd8b 100644
--- a/src/sampling/surface/distanceSurface/distanceSurface.C
+++ b/src/sampling/surface/distanceSurface/distanceSurface.C
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ Foam::distanceSurface::distanceSurface
     (
         searchableSurface::New
         (
-            dict.lookup("surfaceType"),
+            dict.get<word>("surfaceType"),
             IOobject
             (
                 dict.lookupOrDefault("surfaceName", defaultSurfaceName),
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ Foam::distanceSurface::distanceSurface
             dict
         )
     ),
-    distance_(readScalar(dict.lookup("distance"))),
+    distance_(dict.get<scalar>("distance")),
     signed_(dict.get<bool>("signed")),
     cell_(dict.lookupOrDefault("cell", true)),
     regularise_(dict.lookupOrDefault("regularise", true)),
diff --git a/src/sampling/surface/triSurfaceMesh/discreteSurface.C b/src/sampling/surface/triSurfaceMesh/discreteSurface.C
index 2c67b787c4..79bfa6ddf0 100644
--- a/src/sampling/surface/triSurfaceMesh/discreteSurface.C
+++ b/src/sampling/surface/triSurfaceMesh/discreteSurface.C
@@ -675,7 +675,7 @@ Foam::discreteSurface::discreteSurface
     (
         IOobject
         (
-            dict.lookup("surface"),
+            dict.get<word>("surface"),
             mesh.time().constant(), // instance
             "triSurface",           // local
             mesh.time(),            // registry
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfZone/surfZone/surfZone.C b/src/surfMesh/surfZone/surfZone/surfZone.C
index 11ddea7da9..11abd43389 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfZone/surfZone/surfZone.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfZone/surfZone/surfZone.C
@@ -81,8 +81,8 @@ Foam::surfZone::surfZone
 )
 :
     surfZoneIdentifier(name, dict, index),
-    size_(readLabel(dict.lookup("nFaces"))),
-    start_(readLabel(dict.lookup("startFace")))
+    size_(dict.get<label>("nFaces")),
+    start_(dict.get<label>("startFace"))
 {}
 
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfZone/surfZone/surfZoneIOList.C b/src/surfMesh/surfZone/surfZone/surfZoneIOList.C
index 26ec878226..bf42b9e749 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfZone/surfZone/surfZoneIOList.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfZone/surfZone/surfZoneIOList.C
@@ -61,8 +61,8 @@ Foam::surfZoneIOList::surfZoneIOList
         {
             const dictionary& dict = dictEntries[zoneI].dict();
 
-            label zoneSize = readLabel(dict.lookup("nFaces"));
-            label startFacei = readLabel(dict.lookup("startFace"));
+            const label zoneSize = dict.get<label>("nFaces");
+            const label startFacei = dict.get<label>("startFace");
 
             zones[zoneI] = surfZone
             (
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/triSurface/patches/surfacePatch.C b/src/surfMesh/triSurface/patches/surfacePatch.C
index f3cbc76dea..effab0dea3 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/triSurface/patches/surfacePatch.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/triSurface/patches/surfacePatch.C
@@ -87,8 +87,8 @@ Foam::surfacePatch::surfacePatch
 )
 :
     geometricSurfacePatch(name, dict, index),
-    size_(readLabel(dict.lookup("nFaces"))),
-    start_(readLabel(dict.lookup("startFace")))
+    size_(dict.get<label>("nFaces")),
+    start_(dict.get<label>("startFace"))
 {}