---
title: acrostic — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «acrostic» in the school dictionary: A poem or puzzle in which the first letters of each line, read downwards, spell a word, often the subject of the poem. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

<!-- md -->
[Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/acrostic/)

<!-- crumbs -->
[home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/) / [school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/) / [A](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/) / acrostic

# acrostic

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** first letters, We, our, first line, you, Psalm · **What happens:** read, spell, letter, build, write, use · **To what, where:** poem, word, line, word puzzle, acrostic poem, letters

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A poem or puzzle in which the first letters of each line, read downwards, spell a word, often the subject of the poem.

<!-- fold The tree, 23 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:acrostic:m1:1
# text = A poem or puzzle in which the first letters of each line, read downwards, spell a word, often the subject of the poem.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	poem	poem	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	4	cc	_	_
4	puzzle	puzzle	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	conj	_	_
5	in	in	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	which	which	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	14	obl	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	first	first	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos|NumForm=Word|NumType=Ord	9	amod	_	_
9	letters	letter	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	14	nsubj	_	_
10	of	of	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	each	each	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	12	det	_	_
12	line	line	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	14	punct	_	_
14	read	read	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	appos	_	_
15	downwards	downwards	ADV	RB	_	14	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	17	punct	_	_
17	spell	spell	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	14	conj	_	_
18	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	19	det	_	_
19	word	word	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	17	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
20	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	23	punct	_	_
21	often	often	ADV	RB	_	23	advmod	_	_
22	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	23	det	_	_
23	subject	subject	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	19	appos	_	_
24	of	of	ADP	IN	_	26	case	_	_
25	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	26	det	_	_
26	poem	poem	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	23	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
27	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **read** | infinitive | the first letters of each line |  |  | a poem or puzzle |  | downwards *property* | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **spell** | infinitive | the first letters of each line *not said here* | a word |  |  |  |  | vn pronounce-29.3.1 «NP V NP ADVP»: agent=Agent word=Theme |
| 3 | **letter** |  |  | each line |  |  |  |  | nom letter «communication transitive»: of=patient |

<!-- .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 -->
A word puzzle built in the same way.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:acrostic:m2:1
# text = A word puzzle built in the same way.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	word	word	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	puzzle	puzzle	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
4	built	build	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	3	acl	_	_
5	in	in	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
7	same	same	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **build** | participle |  | a word puzzle *not said here* |  |  |  | in the same way | vn calibratable\_cos-45.6.1 «NP.patient V PP.attribute»: agent=Patient in way=Attribute |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We wrote an acrostic poem using the letters of our names.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:acrostic:x1:1
# text = We wrote an acrostic poem using the letters of our names.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	wrote	write	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	acrostic	acrostic	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	compound	_	_
5	poem	poem	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
6	using	use	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	2	advcl	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	letters	letter	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obj	_	_
9	of	of	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	our	our	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	11	nmod:poss	_	_
11	names	name	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **write** | past | We | a acrostic poem |  |  |  |  | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent poem=Theme |
| 2 | **use** | gerund | We *not said here* | the letters of our names |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent letter=Patient |
| 3 | **letter** |  |  | our names |  |  |  |  | nom letter «communication transitive»: of=patient |
| 4 | **name** |  | our |  |  |  |  |  | nom name «communication transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In my acrostic for CAT, the first line starts with C.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:acrostic:x2:1
# text = In my acrostic for CAT, the first line starts with C.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	my	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	3	nmod:poss	_	_
3	acrostic	acrostic	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	obl	_	_
4	for	for	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	CAT	cat	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	first	first	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos|NumForm=Word|NumType=Ord	9	amod	_	_
9	line	line	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nsubj	_	_
10	starts	start	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
11	with	with	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
12	C.	c.	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	obl	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **start** | present | the first line |  |  | my acrostic for CAT |  | with C. | vn begin-55.1-1-1 «NP V PP.subeventuality»: agent=Eventuality with c.=Subeventuality |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Read the first letters downwards to find the hidden word.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:acrostic:x3:1
# text = Read the first letters downwards to find the hidden word.
1	Read	read	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
3	first	first	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos|NumForm=Word|NumType=Ord	4	amod	_	_
4	letters	letter	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obj	_	_
5	downwards	downwards	ADV	RB	_	1	advmod	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	find	find	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	1	advcl	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
9	hidden	hidden	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
10	word	word	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **read** | imperative | you *not said here* | the first letters |  |  |  | downwards *property* | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent letter=Topic |
| 2 | **find** | to-infinitive | you *not said here* | the hidden word |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent word=Topic |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Psalm 119 is an acrostic in Hebrew.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:acrostic:x4:1
# text = Psalm 119 is an acrostic in Hebrew.
1	Psalm	Psalm	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
2	119	119	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	1	flat	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	acrostic	acrostic	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	Hebrew	Hebrew	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Psalm | a acrostic |  | Hebrew |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Our class made acrostics for the word AUTUMN.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:acrostic:x5:1
# text = Our class made acrostics for the word AUTUMN.
1	Our	our	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	class	class	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	made	make	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	acrostics	acrostic	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	_
5	for	for	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	word	word	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	_
8	AUTUMN	AUTUMN	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	7	appos	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | past | Our class | acrostics |  |  |  | for the word | vn build-26.1-1 «NP V NP P.asset»: agent=Agent acrostic=Product for word=Asset |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
An acrostic doesn't have to rhyme.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:acrostic:x6:1
# text = An acrostic doesn't have to rhyme.
1	An	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	acrostic	acrostic	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	does	do	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	5	advmod	_	_
5	have	have	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	rhyme	rhyme	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **have** | present · do-support | a acrostic |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **rhyme** | to-infinitive | a acrostic *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn amalgamate-22.2-2-1 «NP V»: agent=Patient |

<!-- div src -->

**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 -->

<!-- pn -->
- ← previous: [across](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/across/)
- next →: [acrylic](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/acrylic/)
- ↑ back to [A in school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/)