Hi! With the OED, it has been like that at least since I started university in 2007. However, lots of public libraries have subscriptions. I just go to my library website, login, and follow the link to the OED. There are many other reference tools that are also included in my library card. Libraries rule!
Edit: you can check merriam-webster for free, I think
Different child field? This is like my first two read-throughs of a new paper in my own specialization!
This is the perfect answer. Self-reinforcing loop