---
title: absolution — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «absolution» in the school dictionary: Absolution is when a priest, in God's name, declares that a person's sins are forgiven, especially after confession. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# absolution

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Absolution, God, priest, vicar, words, He · **What happens:** be, declare, forgive, name, give, absolve · **To what, where:** priest, sins, blame, absolution, lie, sorry · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«absolution» in the school dictionary: its 2 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: [absolution in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/absolution.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Absolution is when a priest, in God's name, declares that a person's sins are forgiven, especially after confession.

<!-- fold The tree, 20 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:absolution:m1:1
# text = Absolution is when a priest, in God's name, declares that a person's sins are forgiven, especially after confession.
1	Absolution	absolution	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
3	when	when	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	5	advmod	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	priest	priest	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
7	in	in	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
8	God	God	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	10	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	's	's	PART	POS	_	8	case	_	_
10	name	name	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	appos	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
12	declares	declare	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	conj	_	_
13	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	19	mark	_	_
14	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	15	det	_	_
15	person	person	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	17	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	's	's	PART	POS	_	15	case	_	_
17	sins	sin	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	19	nsubj:pass	_	_
18	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	19	aux:pass	_	_
19	forgiven	forgive	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	12	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
20	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	23	punct	_	_
21	especially	especially	ADV	RB	_	23	advmod	_	_
22	after	after	ADP	IN	_	23	case	_	_
23	confession	confession	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	19	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
24	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Absolution | a priest |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **declare** *speech: other* | present | Absolution *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn declare-29.4-1-1-1 «NP V what S\_INF»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **forgive** | present · passive |  | a person's sins |  |  | after confession |  | vn judgment-33.1-1 «NP V NP»: subject=Theme |
| 4 | **name** |  | God |  |  |  |  |  | nom name «communication transitive»: poss=agent |

<!-- .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}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Absolution is being set free from blame or guilt.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:absolution:m2:1
# text = Absolution is being set free from blame or guilt.
1	Absolution	absolution	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
3	being	be	AUX	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	5	cop	_	_
4	set	set	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	free	free	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
6	from	from	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	blame	blame	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	_
8	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
9	guilt	guilt	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | Absolution |  |  | blame or guilt |  | free *property* | tree rules |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
After confession, the priest gave her absolution.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:absolution:x1:1
# text = After confession, the priest gave her absolution.
1	After	after	ADP	IN	_	2	case	_	_
2	confession	confession	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	2	punct	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	priest	priest	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
6	gave	give	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	her	her	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	8	nmod:poss	_	_
8	absolution	absolution	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **give** | past | the priest | priest's absolution |  |  | after confession |  | vn give-13.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent absolution=Theme |
| 2 | **absolve** |  | priest |  |  |  |  |  | nom absolution «state transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The vicar said the words of absolution and everyone felt lighter.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:absolution:x2:1
# text = The vicar said the words of absolution and everyone felt lighter.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	vicar	vicar	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	said	say	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	words	word	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	10	nsubj	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	absolution	absolution	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	_
8	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
9	everyone	everyone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Tot	7	conj	_	_
10	felt	feel	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	ccomp	_	_
11	lighter	light	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	10	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **say** *speech: assert* | past | the vicar |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **feel** | past | the words of absolution |  |  |  |  | light *property* | vn stimulus\_subject-30.4 «NP V ADJ»: agent=Stimulus |
| 3 | **word** |  |  | absolution |  |  |  |  | nom word «communication transitive»: of=patient |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He wanted absolution for the lie he had told.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:absolution:x3:1
# text = He wanted absolution for the lie he had told.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	wanted	want	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	absolution	absolution	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
4	for	for	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	lie	lie	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	_
7	he	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	9	nsubj	_	_
8	had	have	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	9	aux	_	_
9	told	tell	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part	6	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **want** | past | He | absolution |  |  |  | for the lie | vn want-32.1-1-1 «NP V NP ADV»: agent=Pivot absolution=Theme |
| 2 | **tell** *speech: assert* | past · perfect | he | the lie *not said here* |  |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP.recipient»: agent=Agent lie=Recipient |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Saying sorry to her friend felt like absolution.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:absolution:x4:1
# text = Saying sorry to her friend felt like absolution.
1	Saying	say	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	6	csubj	_	_
2	sorry	sorry	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	1	obj	_	_
3	to	to	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	her	her	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	5	nmod:poss	_	_
5	friend	friend	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	_
6	felt	feel	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	like	like	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	absolution	absolution	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **say** *speech: assert* | gerund |  | sorry |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V NP.topic»: agent=Agent sorry=Topic |
| 2 | **feel** | past | Saying |  |  |  |  | to her friend; like absolution | vn conjecture-29.5-2 «NP V S»: agent=Agent like absolution=Theme |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Catholics believe absolution forgives their sins through the priest.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:absolution:x5:1
# text = Catholics believe absolution forgives their sins through the priest.
1	Catholics	Catholic	PROPN	NNPS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	believe	believe	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	absolution	absolution	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	forgives	forgive	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	2	ccomp	_	_
5	their	their	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	6	nmod:poss	_	_
6	sins	sin	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	_
7	through	through	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	priest	priest	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **believe** | present | Catholics |  |  |  |  |  | vn admire-31.2 «NP V that S»: agent=Experiencer clause=Stimulus |
| 2 | **forgive** | present | absolution | Catholics's sins |  | the priest |  |  | vn judgment-33.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent sin=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The service begins with confession and absolution.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:absolution:x6:1
# text = The service begins with confession and absolution.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	service	service	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	begins	begin	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	with	with	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	confession	confession	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	_
6	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	absolution	absolution	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **begin** | present | the service |  |  |  |  | with confession and absolution | vn begin-55.1-1-1 «NP V PP.subeventuality»: agent=Eventuality with confession=Subeventuality |

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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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