---
title: character — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «character» in the school dictionary: A character is a person or animal in a story, film or play. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# character

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** character, you, Harry, She, password, It · **What happens:** be, use, describe, have, need, shout · **To what, where:** person, kind, letter, symbol, writing, interesting person · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«character» in the school dictionary: its 4 meanings for a pupil and its 9 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: [character in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/character.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A character is a person or animal in a story, film or play.

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:character:m1:1
# text = A character is a person or animal in a story, film or play.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	character	character	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	person	person	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	animal	animal	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	_
8	in	in	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	story	story	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
12	film	film	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	_
13	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	14	cc	_	_
14	play	play	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a character | a person or animal in a story and film or play |  |  |  |  | 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 -->
Your character is the kind of person you are inside: brave, kind, honest or not.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:character:m2:1
# text = Your character is the kind of person you are inside: brave, kind, honest or not.
1	Your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	character	character	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	kind	kind	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	person	person	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	_
8	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	10	nsubj	_	_
9	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	10	cop	_	_
10	inside	inside	ADV	RB	_	7	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	12	punct	_	_
12	brave	brave	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	14	punct	_	_
14	kind	kind	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	12	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	16	punct	_	_
16	honest	honest	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	12	conj	_	_
17	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	18	cc	_	_
18	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	16	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
19	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Your character | the kind |  |  |  | of person | tree rules |
| 2 | **is** | present | you | person *not said here* |  |  |  | inside *property* | tree rules |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A character is a letter, number or symbol used in writing.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:character:m3:1
# text = A character is a letter, number or symbol used in writing.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	character	character	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	letter	letter	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	7	punct	_	_
7	number	number	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	_
8	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
9	symbol	symbol	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	_
10	used	use	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	9	acl	_	_
11	in	in	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
12	writing	writing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	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 | a character | a letter and number or symbol |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **use** | participle |  | symbol *not said here* |  | writing |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Meaning 4 {#m4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A character can be an interesting or unusual person.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:character:m4:1
# text = A character can be an interesting or unusual person.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	character	character	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nsubj	_	_
3	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	9	aux	_	_
4	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	9	cop	_	_
5	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
6	interesting	interesting	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
7	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	unusual	unusual	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	conj	_	_
9	person	person	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | can | a character | a interesting person |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Who is the main character in the story?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:character:x1:1
# text = Who is the main character in the story?
1	Who	who	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	5	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	main	main	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	character	character	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	story	story	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

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

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Harry is a brave character.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:character:x2:1
# text = Harry is a brave character.
1	Harry	Harry	PROPN	NNP	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	brave	brave	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	character	character	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

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

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Describe the character's feelings.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:character:x3:1
# text = Describe the character's feelings.
1	Describe	describe	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	character	character	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	's	's	PART	POS	_	3	case	_	_
5	feelings	feeling	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **describe** | imperative | you *not said here* | the character's feelings |  |  |  |  | vn characterize-29.2-1-1 «NP V NP S\_ING»: agent=Agent feeling=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She has a kind character.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:character:x4:1
# text = She has a kind character.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	kind	kind	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	character	character	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | She | a kind character |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent character=Patient |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Your password needs at least eight characters.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:character:x5:1
# text = Your password needs at least eight characters.
1	Your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	password	password	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	needs	need	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	at	at	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	least	least	ADJ	JJS	Degree=Sup	6	nmod	_	_
6	eight	eight	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	7	nummod	_	_
7	characters	character	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **need** | present | Your password | eight characters |  |  |  |  | vn want-32.1-1-1 «NP V NP ADV»: agent=Pivot character=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
It was out of character for him to shout.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:character:x6:1
# text = It was out of character for him to shout.
1	It	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	5	nsubj	_	_
2	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
3	out	out	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	of	of	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	character	character	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	for	for	SCONJ	IN	_	9	mark	_	_
7	him	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	9	nsubj	_	_
8	to	to	PART	TO	_	9	mark	_	_
9	shout	shout	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	acl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | It |  |  | character |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **shout** *speech: express* | to-infinitive | him *= he* |  |  |  |  |  | vn manner\_speaking-37.3 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Grandad is a real character.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:character:x7:1
# text = Grandad is a real character.
1	Grandad	Grandad	PROPN	NNP	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	real	real	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	character	character	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

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

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The villain is my favourite character.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:character:x8:1
# text = The villain is my favourite character.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	villain	villain	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
4	my	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	6	nmod:poss	_	_
5	favourite	favourite	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	character	character	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | the villain | my favourite character |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 9 {#x9}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
“You are a noble character!” said the princess.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:character:x9:1
# text = “You are a noble character!” said the princess.
1	“	"	PUNCT	``	_	6	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	You	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	6	nsubj	_	_
3	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	noble	noble	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	character	character	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	!	!	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	”	"	PUNCT	''	_	6	punct	_	_
9	said	say	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	princess	princess	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** *in a quote* | present | You | a noble character |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **say** *speech: express* | past | a noble character | the princess |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V NP.topic»: agent=Agent princess=Topic |

<!-- 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 -->
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