---
title: abs — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «abs» in the school dictionary: Abs are the stomach muscles; it is short for abdominal muscles. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# abs

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Abs, it, anti-lock braking system, wheels, driver, you · **What happens:** be, stand, stop, lock, brake, use · **To what, where:** stomach muscles, hard plastic, abs, back, LEGO bricks, you · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«abs» in the school dictionary: its 3 meanings for a pupil and its 6 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [abs in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/abs.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: informal — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Abs are the stomach muscles; it is short for abdominal muscles.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:abs:m1:1
# text = Abs are the stomach muscles; it is short for abdominal muscles.
1	Abs	ab	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	nsubj	_	_
2	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	stomach	stomach	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	compound	_	_
5	muscles	muscle	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	;	;	PUNCT	:	_	9	punct	_	_
7	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	9	nsubj	_	_
8	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	cop	_	_
9	short	short	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
10	for	for	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	abdominal	abdominal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	12	amod	_	_
12	muscles	muscle	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Abs | the stomach muscles |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **is** | present | it |  |  |  |  | for abdominal muscles; short *property* | tree rules |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
ABS (in capitals) stands for anti-lock braking system, which stops a car's wheels locking when the driver brakes hard.

<!-- fold The tree, 20 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:abs:m2:1
# text = ABS (in capitals) stands for anti-lock braking system, which stops a car's wheels locking when the driver brakes hard.
1	ABS	ab	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nsubj	_	_
2	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	in	in	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
4	capitals	capital	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	appos	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	4	punct	_	_
6	stands	stand	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	for	for	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
8	anti-lock	anti-lock	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	compound	_	_
9	braking	braking	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	compound	_	_
10	system	system	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
12	which	which	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	13	nsubj	_	_
13	stops	stop	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	10	acl:relcl	_	_
14	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	15	det	_	_
15	car	car	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	17	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	's	's	PART	POS	_	15	case	_	_
17	wheels	wheel	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	18	nsubj	_	_
18	locking	lock	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	13	ccomp	_	_
19	when	when	SCONJ	WRB	_	22	mark	_	_
20	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	21	det	_	_
21	driver	driver	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	22	nsubj	_	_
22	brakes	brake	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	18	advcl	_	_
23	hard	hard	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	22	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
24	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **stand** | present | ABS |  |  |  |  | for anti-lock braking system | vn admire-31.2 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: agent=Experiencer for system=Attribute |
| 2 | **stop** | present | anti-lock braking system |  |  |  |  |  | vn stop-55.4-1-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Affector clause=Eventuality |
| 3 | **lock** | gerund | a car's wheels |  |  |  |  |  | vn tape-22.4 «NP V ADV-Middle»: agent=Patient |
| 4 | **brake** | present | the driver |  |  |  |  | hard *property* | tree rules |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
ABS is also a hard plastic used for things like LEGO bricks.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:abs:m3:1
# text = ABS is also a hard plastic used for things like LEGO bricks.
1	ABS	abs	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
3	also	also	ADV	RB	_	6	advmod	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	hard	hard	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	plastic	plastic	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	used	use	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	6	acl	_	_
8	for	for	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	things	thing	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	obl	_	_
10	like	like	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	LEGO	LEGO	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	12	compound	_	_
12	bricks	brick	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | ABS | a hard plastic |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **use** | participle |  | a hard plastic *not said here* |  |  |  | for things like LEGO bricks | vn eat-39.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Sit-ups help to strengthen your abs.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:abs:x1:1
# text = Sit-ups help to strengthen your abs.
1	Sit	sit	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	-	-	PUNCT	HYPH	_	3	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	ups	up	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj	_	_
4	help	help	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	1	ccomp	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	strengthen	strengthen	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	xcomp	_	_
7	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	8	nmod:poss	_	_
8	abs	ab	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **sit** | imperative | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **help** | present | ups |  |  |  |  |  | vn help-72.1-1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Theme |
| 3 | **strengthen** | to-infinitive | ups *not said here* | your abs |  |  |  |  | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP V NP.patient»: agent=Agent ab=Patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The coach said, "Tighten your abs and keep your back straight."

<!-- fold The tree, 11 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:abs:x2:1
# text = The coach said, "Tighten your abs and keep your back straight."
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	coach	coach	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	said	say	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	6	punct	_	_
5	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	6	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	Tighten	tighten	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	ccomp	_	_
7	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	8	nmod:poss	_	_
8	abs	ab	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obj	_	_
9	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	10	cc	_	_
10	keep	keep	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	conj	_	_
11	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	12	nmod:poss	_	_
12	back	back	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	obj	_	_
13	straight	straight	ADV	RB	_	10	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **say** *speech: assert* | past | the coach |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **tighten** *in a quote* | infinitive |  | your abs |  |  |  |  | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP V NP.patient»: agent=Agent ab=Patient |
| 3 | **keep** *in a quote* | infinitive |  | your back |  |  |  | straight *property* | vn keep-15.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent back=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The car has ABS, so it can steer while braking hard.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:abs:x3:1
# text = The car has ABS, so it can steer while braking hard.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	car	car	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	ABS	ABS	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	9	punct	_	_
6	so	so	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	_
7	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	9	nsubj	_	_
8	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	9	aux	_	_
9	steer	steer	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	conj	_	_
10	while	while	SCONJ	IN	_	11	mark	_	_
11	braking	brake	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	9	advcl	_	_
12	hard	hard	ADV	RB	Degree=Pos	11	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | the car | ABS |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent abs=Patient |
| 2 | **steer** | can | car |  |  |  |  |  | vn accompany-51.7 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **brake** | gerund | car *not said here* |  |  |  |  | hard *property* | tree rules |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
LEGO bricks are made of ABS plastic.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:abs:x4:1
# text = LEGO bricks are made of ABS plastic.
1	LEGO	LEGO	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	2	compound	_	_
2	bricks	brick	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj:pass	_	_
3	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux:pass	_	_
4	made	make	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	ABS	abs	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	plastic	plastic	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | present · passive |  | LEGO bricks |  |  |  | of abs plastic | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: subject=Product |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Strong abs help you keep good posture.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:abs:x5:1
# text = Strong abs help you keep good posture.
1	Strong	strong	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	abs	ab	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	help	help	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Person=2|PronType=Prs	3	obj	_	_
5	keep	keep	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	xcomp	_	_
6	good	good	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	posture	posture	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **help** | present | Strong abs | you |  |  |  |  | vn help-72.1-1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Agent you=Beneficiary clause=Theme |
| 2 | **keep** | infinitive | you *not said here* | good posture |  |  |  |  | vn keep-15.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent posture=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He showed off his abs at the beach.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:abs:x6:1
# text = He showed off his abs at the beach.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	showed	show	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	off	off	ADP	RP	_	2	compound:prt	_	_
4	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	5	nmod:poss	_	_
5	abs	ab	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
6	at	at	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	beach	beach	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **show off** | past | He | his abs |  | the beach |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP.recipient»: agent=Agent ab=Recipient |

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**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

<!-- /div -->

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