---
title: cotton — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «cotton» in the school dictionary: Cotton is a soft white fibre that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# cotton

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Cotton, soft white fibre, Cotton wool, you, natural fibre, We · **What happens:** be, grow, make, use, soak up, clean · **To what, where:** soft white fibre, seeds, Cotton cloth, thread, fibre, soft fluffy pads

<!-- .vabout -->
«cotton» in the school dictionary: its 3 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: [cotton in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/cotton.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Cotton is a soft white fibre that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:cotton:m1:1
# text = Cotton is a soft white fibre that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant.
1	Cotton	cotton	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
4	soft	soft	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
5	white	white	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	fibre	fibre	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	8	nsubj	_	_
8	grows	grow	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	acl:relcl	_	_
9	around	around	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	seeds	seed	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	obl	_	_
12	of	of	ADP	IN	_	15	case	_	_
13	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	15	det	_	_
14	cotton	cotton	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	15	compound	_	_
15	plant	plant	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Cotton | a soft white fibre |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **grow** | present | a soft white fibre |  |  | the seeds of the cotton plant |  |  | vn appear-48.1.1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme around seed=Location |

<!-- .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 -->
Cotton is cloth or thread made from this fibre.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:cotton:m2:1
# text = Cotton is cloth or thread made from this fibre.
1	Cotton	cotton	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	cop	_	_
3	cloth	cloth	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
4	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
5	thread	thread	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	conj	_	_
6	made	make	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	5	acl	_	_
7	from	from	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	this	this	DET	DT	Number=Sing|PronType=Dem	9	det	_	_
9	fibre	fibre	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present |  | Cotton cloth or thread |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **make** | participle |  | thread *not said here* |  | this fibre |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V PP»: agent=Asset from fibre=Material |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Cotton wool (UK) or cotton balls (USA) are soft fluffy pads of cotton used for cleaning skin or cuts.

<!-- fold The tree, 19 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:cotton:m3:1
# text = Cotton wool (UK) or cotton balls (USA) are soft fluffy pads of cotton used for cleaning skin or cuts.
1	Cotton	cotton	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	compound	_	_
2	wool	wool	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	15	nsubj	_	_
3	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	UK	UK	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	2	appos	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	4	punct	_	_
6	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
7	cotton	cotton	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	compound	_	_
8	balls	ball	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	conj	_	_
9	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	10	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	USA	USA	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	8	appos	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	10	punct	_	_
12	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	15	cop	_	_
13	soft	soft	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	15	amod	_	_
14	fluffy	fluffy	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	15	amod	_	_
15	pads	pad	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	0	root	_	_
16	of	of	ADP	IN	_	17	case	_	_
17	cotton	cotton	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	15	nmod	_	_
18	used	use	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	15	acl	_	_
19	for	for	ADP	IN	_	21	case	_	_
20	cleaning	cleaning	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	21	compound	_	_
21	skin	skin	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	18	obl	_	_
22	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	23	cc	_	_
23	cuts	cut	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	21	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
24	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	15	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Cotton wool or cotton balls | soft fluffy pads |  |  |  | of cotton | tree rules |
| 2 | **use** | participle |  | soft fluffy pads *not said here* |  |  |  | for cleaning skin or cuts | vn eat-39.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
My T-shirt is made of cotton.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:cotton:x1:1
# text = My T-shirt is made of cotton.
1	My	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	4	nmod:poss	_	_
2	T	t	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	compound	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	-	-	PUNCT	HYPH	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	shirt	shirt	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj:pass	_	_
5	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	aux:pass	_	_
6	made	make	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	cotton	cotton	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 | **make** | present · passive |  | My T shirt |  |  |  | of cotton | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: subject=Product |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Cotton soaks up water well.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:cotton:x2:1
# text = Cotton soaks up water well.
1	Cotton	cotton	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	soaks	soak	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	up	up	ADP	RP	_	2	compound:prt	_	_
4	water	water	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	well	well	ADV	RB	Degree=Pos	2	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **soak up** | present | Cotton | water |  |  |  | well *property* | vn wipe\_manner-10.4.1 «NP V NP.source»: agent=Agent water=Source |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Clean the cut with a piece of cotton wool.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:cotton:x3:1
# text = Clean the cut with a piece of cotton wool.
1	Clean	clean	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	cut	cut	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	with	with	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	piece	piece	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	cotton	cotton	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	compound	_	_
9	wool	wool	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **clean** | imperative | you *not said here* | the cut |  |  |  | with a piece of cotton wool | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP V NP PP.instrument»: agent=Agent cut=Patient with piece=Instrument |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Cotton grows on bushes in hot countries.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:cotton:x4:1
# text = Cotton grows on bushes in hot countries.
1	Cotton	cotton	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	grows	grow	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	on	on	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
4	bushes	bush	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obl	_	_
5	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	hot	hot	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	countries	country	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **grow** | present | Cotton |  |  | bushes |  | in hot countries | vn appear-48.1.1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme on bush=Location |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The fluffy cotton bolls are picked and spun into thread.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:cotton:x5:1
# text = The fluffy cotton bolls are picked and spun into thread.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
2	fluffy	fluffy	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
3	cotton	cotton	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	compound	_	_
4	bolls	boll	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nsubj:pass	_	_
5	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	aux:pass	_	_
6	picked	pick	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
7	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	spun	spin	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	6	conj	_	_
9	into	into	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	thread	thread	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **pick** | present · passive |  | the fluffy cotton bolls |  |  |  |  | vn chew-39.2 «NP V NP»: subject=Patient |
| 2 | **spin** | participle |  |  |  | thread |  |  | vn roll-51.3.1 «NP V PP.trajectory»: agent=Theme into thread=Trajectory |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Cotton is a natural fibre, but nylon is man-made.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:cotton:x6:1
# text = Cotton is a natural fibre, but nylon is man-made.
1	Cotton	cotton	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	natural	natural	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	fibre	fibre	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
7	but	but	CCONJ	CC	_	12	cc	_	_
8	nylon	nylon	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	nsubj:pass	_	_
9	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	12	aux:pass	_	_
10	man	man	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	compound	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	-	-	PUNCT	HYPH	_	10	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	made	make	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	5	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Cotton | a natural fibre |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **make** | present · passive | a natural fibre *not said here* | nylon |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: subject=Product |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We ate pink cotton candy at the fair.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:cotton:x7:1
# text = We ate pink cotton candy at the fair.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	ate	eat	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	pink	pink	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
4	cotton	cotton	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	compound	_	_
5	candy	candy	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
6	at	at	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	fair	fair	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 | **eat** | past | We | pink cotton candy |  | the fair |  |  | vn eat-39.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent candy=Patient |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Don't push cotton buds into your ears.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:cotton:x8:1
# text = Don't push cotton buds into your ears.
1	Do	do	AUX	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	3	advmod	_	_
3	push	push	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	cotton	cotton	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	compound	_	_
5	buds	bud	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	_
6	into	into	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	8	nmod:poss	_	_
8	ears	ear	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **push** | imperative · do-support | you *not said here* | cotton buds |  | your ears |  |  | vn funnel-9.3-1-1 «NP V NP PP.destination»: agent=Agent bud=Theme into ear=Destination |

## Example 9 {#x9}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
I saw the flowered cotton curtains of the bed move, and the child peep forth.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:cotton:x9:1
# text = I saw the flowered cotton curtains of the bed move, and the child peep forth.
1	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	saw	see	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
4	flowered	flower	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	6	amod	_	_
5	cotton	cotton	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	compound	_	_
6	curtains	curtain	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
9	bed	bed	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	compound	_	_
10	move	move	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	15	punct	_	_
12	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	15	cc	_	_
13	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	14	det	_	_
14	child	child	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	15	nsubj	_	_
15	peep	peep	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	conj	_	_
16	forth	forth	ADV	RB	_	15	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **see** | past | I | the flowered cotton curtains of the bed move |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer curtain=Stimulus |
| 2 | **flower** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn entity\_specific\_modes\_being-47.2 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 3 | **peep** | infinitive | the child |  |  |  |  | forth *property* | vn animal\_sounds-38 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

<!-- 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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