---
title: cradle — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «cradle» in the school dictionary: A cradle is a small bed for a baby, often one that can rock. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# cradle

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** cradle, that, place, frame, baby, She · **What happens:** be, rock, begin, cradle, hold, sleep · **To what, where:** small bed, cradle, something, arms, wooden cradle, kitten · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«cradle» in the school dictionary: its 4 meanings for a pupil and its 7 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: [cradle in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/cradle.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A cradle is a small bed for a baby, often one that can rock.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:cradle:m1:1
# text = A cradle is a small bed for a baby, often one that can rock.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	cradle	cradle	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	small	small	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	bed	bed	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	for	for	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	baby	baby	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	15	punct	_	_
11	often	often	ADV	RB	_	12	advmod	_	_
12	one	one	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	15	nummod	_	_
13	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	15	nsubj	_	_
14	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	15	aux	_	_
15	rock	rock	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a cradle | a small bed and one rock |  |  |  | for a baby | tree rules |
| 2 | **rock** | can | that |  |  |  |  |  | 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 -->
The place where something began: the cradle of civilisation.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:cradle:m2:1
# text = The place where something began: the cradle of civilisation.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	place	place	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	where	where	ADV	WRB	PronType=Rel	5	advmod	_	_
4	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	5	nsubj	_	_
5	began	begin	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	8	punct	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	cradle	cradle	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	_
9	of	of	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	civilisation	civilisation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **begin** | past | the place | the cradle of civilisation |  |  |  |  | vn begin-55.1-1-1 «NP.eventuality V»: agent=Eventuality |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To cradle something is to hold it gently in your arms.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:cradle:m3:1
# text = To cradle something is to hold it gently in your arms.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	cradle	cradle	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	advcl	_	_
3	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	hold	hold	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	6	obj	_	_
8	gently	gently	ADV	RB	_	6	advmod	_	_
9	in	in	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	11	nmod:poss	_	_
11	arms	arm	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **cradle** | to-infinitive |  | something |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **is** | present |  |  |  | your arms |  | gently, hold *property* | tree rules |

## Meaning 4 {#m4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A frame that holds something, like a phone cradle.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:cradle:m4:1
# text = A frame that holds something, like a phone cradle.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	frame	frame	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	4	nsubj	_	_
4	holds	hold	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
7	like	like	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
9	phone	phone	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	compound	_	_
10	cradle	cradle	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **hold** | present | a frame | something |  |  |  | like a phone cradle | vn keep-15.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent something=Theme |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The baby slept in a wooden cradle.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:cradle:x1:1
# text = The baby slept in a wooden cradle.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	baby	baby	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	slept	sleep	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	wooden	wooden	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	cradle	cradle	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **sleep** | past | the baby |  |  | a wooden cradle |  |  | vn fit-54.3 «NP V NP PP.location»: agent=Agent in cradle=Location |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She cradled the kitten in her arms.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:cradle:x2:1
# text = She cradled the kitten in her arms.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	cradled	cradle	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	kitten	kitten	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	her	her	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	7	nmod:poss	_	_
7	arms	arm	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 | **cradle** | past | She | the kitten |  | kitten's arms |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Mesopotamia is called the cradle of civilisation.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:cradle:x3:1
# text = Mesopotamia is called the cradle of civilisation.
1	Mesopotamia	Mesopotamia	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	3	nsubj:pass	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux:pass	_	_
3	called	call	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	cradle	cradle	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	xcomp	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	civilisation	civilisation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **call** | present · passive |  | Mesopotamia |  |  |  |  | vn initiate\_communication-37.4.2-1 «NP V NP.recipient»: subject=Recipient |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Rock the cradle gently.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:cradle:x4:1
# text = Rock the cradle gently.
1	Rock	rock	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	cradle	cradle	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	gently	gently	ADV	RB	_	1	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **rock** | imperative | you *not said here* | the cradle |  |  |  | gently *property* | vn modes\_of\_being\_with\_motion-47.3 «PP.location V NP»: agent=Location cradle=Theme |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He cradled his sore arm.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:cradle:x5:1
# text = He cradled his sore arm.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	cradled	cradle	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	5	nmod:poss	_	_
4	sore	sore	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	arm	arm	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 | **cradle** | past | He | his sore arm |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Put the phone back in its cradle.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:cradle:x6:1
# text = Put the phone back in its cradle.
1	Put	put	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	phone	phone	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	back	back	ADV	RB	_	1	advmod	_	_
5	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	its	its	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	7	nmod:poss	_	_
7	cradle	cradle	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **put back** | imperative | you *not said here* | the phone |  | phone's cradle |  |  | vn put-9.1-2 «NP V NP PP.destination»: agent=Agent phone=Theme in cradle=Destination |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
“Wendy,” remonstrated Michael, “I’m too big for a cradle.”

<!-- fold The tree, 10 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:cradle:x7:1
# text = “Wendy,” remonstrated Michael, “I’m too big for a cradle.”
1	“	"	PUNCT	``	_	5	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Wendy	Wendy	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	”	"	PUNCT	''	_	2	punct	_	_
5	remonstrated	remonstrate	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	Michael	Michael	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
8	“	"	PUNCT	``	_	10	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	10	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	’m	be	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	conj	_	_
11	too	too	ADV	RB	_	12	advmod	_	_
12	big	big	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	xcomp	_	_
13	for	for	ADP	IN	_	15	case	_	_
14	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	15	det	_	_
15	cradle	cradle	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	”	"	PUNCT	''	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **remonstrate** | past | Wendy | Michael |  |  |  |  | vn meet-36.3-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent michael=Co-Agent |
| 2 | **be** *in a quote* | present | I |  |  |  |  | big *property* | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

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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.

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