---
title: ass — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «ass» in the school dictionary: An ass is a donkey, an animal like a small horse with long ears. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# ass

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** ass, Calling, they, you, farmer, Jesus · **What happens:** be, call, mean, sit on, load, ride · **To what, where:** donkey, someone, rude word, part, ass, Jerusalem · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
An ass is a donkey, an animal like a small horse with long ears.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ass:m1:1
# text = An ass is a donkey, an animal like a small horse with long ears.
1	An	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	ass	ass	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	donkey	donkey	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	8	punct	_	_
7	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	animal	animal	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	appos	_	_
9	like	like	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
10	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
11	small	small	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	12	amod	_	_
12	horse	horse	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nmod	_	_
13	with	with	ADP	IN	_	15	case	_	_
14	long	long	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	15	amod	_	_
15	ears	ear	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	12	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a ass | a donkey |  |  |  |  | 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}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Calling someone an ass means they are being stupid or silly.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ass:m2:1
# text = Calling someone an ass means they are being stupid or silly.
1	Calling	call	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	5	csubj	_	_
2	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	1	obj	_	_
3	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	ass	ass	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	xcomp	_	_
5	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	9	nsubj	_	_
7	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	cop	_	_
8	being	be	AUX	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	9	cop	_	_
9	stupid	stupid	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	ccomp	_	_
10	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	11	cc	_	_
11	silly	silly	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **call** | gerund |  |  | someone |  |  |  | vn initiate\_communication-37.4.2-1 «NP V NP.recipient»: agent=Agent someone=Recipient |
| 2 | **mean** | present | Calling |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **is** | present | they |  |  |  |  | stupid *property* | tree rules |
| 4 | **be** |  | they *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Ass is a rude word for your bottom, the part you sit on.

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ass:m3:1
# text = Ass is a rude word for your bottom, the part you sit on.
1	Ass	ass	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	rude	rude	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	word	word	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	for	for	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	8	nmod:poss	_	_
8	bottom	bottom	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	part	part	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	appos	_	_
12	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	13	nsubj	_	_
13	sit	sit	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	11	acl:relcl	_	_
14	on	on	ADV	RB	_	13	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Ass | a rude word |  |  |  | for your bottom | tree rules |
| 2 | **sit on** | present | you | the part *not said here* |  |  |  |  | vn spatial\_configuration-47.6-1 «PP.location V NP»: agent=Location part=Theme |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The farmer loaded the ass with sacks of grain.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ass:x1:1
# text = The farmer loaded the ass with sacks of grain.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	farmer	farmer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	loaded	load	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	ass	ass	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	with	with	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	sacks	sack	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	nmod	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	grain	grain	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **load** | past | the farmer | the ass |  |  |  | with sacks of grain | vn spray-9.7-2 «NP V NP.destination PP.theme»: agent=Agent ass=Destination with sack=Theme |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Jesus rode into Jerusalem on an ass.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ass:x2:1
# text = Jesus rode into Jerusalem on an ass.
1	Jesus	Jesus	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	rode	ride	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	into	into	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
4	Jerusalem	Jerusalem	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	_
5	on	on	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	ass	ass	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **ride** | past | Jesus |  |  | Jerusalem |  | on a ass | vn nonvehicle-51.4.2 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Agent into jerusalem=Trajectory |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Balaam's ass saw the angel before he did.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ass:x3:1
# text = Balaam's ass saw the angel before he did.
1	Balaam	Balaam	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	3	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	's	's	PART	POS	_	1	case	_	_
3	ass	ass	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	saw	see	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	angel	angel	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	_
7	before	before	SCONJ	IN	_	9	mark	_	_
8	he	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	9	nsubj	_	_
9	did	do	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **see** | past | Balaam's ass | the angel |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer angel=Stimulus |
| 2 | **do** | past | ass |  |  |  |  |  | vn act-114-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
«Don't be such an ass!» said Rat to Toad.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ass:x4:1
# text = «Don't be such an ass!» said Rat to Toad.
1	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Do	do	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	10	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	7	advmod	_	_
4	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	7	cop	_	_
5	such	such	DET	PDT	PronType=Ind	7	det:predet	_	_
6	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	ass	ass	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	!	!	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	2	punct	_	_
10	said	say	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
11	Rat	Rat	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	10	nsubj	_	_
12	to	to	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
13	Toad	Toad	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	10	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	10	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **do** *in a quote* | infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn act-114-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **not** **is a** *in a quote* | infinitive |  | such ass |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **say** *speech: express* | past | Rat |  | Toad |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V PP.recipient S-Quote»: agent=Agent to toad=Recipient clause=Topic |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In the fable, the ass wore a lion's skin.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ass:x5:1
# text = In the fable, the ass wore a lion's skin.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	fable	fable	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	ass	ass	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
7	wore	wear	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	lion	lion	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	's	's	PART	POS	_	9	case	_	_
11	skin	skin	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **wear** | past | the ass | a lion's skin |  | the fable |  |  | vn wipe\_manner-10.4.1-1 «NP V NP.source»: agent=Agent skin=Source |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He made an ass of himself at the party.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:ass:x6:1
# text = He made an ass of himself at the party.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	made	make	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	ass	ass	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	himself	himself	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs|Reflex=Yes	4	nmod	_	_
7	at	at	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	party	party	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | past | He | a ass of himself |  | the party |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent ass=Product |

<!-- 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 -->

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