---
title: curtly — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «curtly» in the school dictionary: Curtly means in a short, rude, unfriendly way, using very few words. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# curtly

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Curtly, he, clerk, Caterpillar, She, tales · **What happens:** mean, use, say, shut, tell, wait · **To what, where:** few words, door, us, Alice, letter, tellin · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Curtly means in a short, rude, unfriendly way, using very few words.

<!-- fold The tree, 12 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:curtly:m1:1
# text = Curtly means in a short, rude, unfriendly way, using very few words.
1	Curtly	Curtly	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	in	in	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
5	short	short	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	7	punct	_	_
7	rude	rude	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	5	punct	_	_
9	unfriendly	unfriendly	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
10	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
12	using	use	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	2	conj	_	_
13	very	very	ADV	RB	_	14	advmod	_	_
14	few	few	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	15	amod	_	_
15	words	word	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	12	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | Curtly |  |  |  |  | in a short unfriendly way | vn representation-110.1 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: agent=Pivot in way=Attribute |
| 2 | **use** | gerund | Curtly *not said here* | few words |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent word=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.

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
«No,» he said curtly, and shut the door.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:curtly:x1:1
# text = «No,» he said curtly, and shut the door.
1	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	6	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	No	no	INTJ	UH	Polarity=Neg	6	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	6	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	6	punct	_	_
5	he	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	6	nsubj	_	_
6	said	say	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	curtly	curtly	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
9	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	10	cc	_	_
10	shut	shut	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	conj	_	_
11	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	door	door	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **say** *speech: assert* | past | he |  |  |  |  | curtly *property* | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **shut** | infinitive | he *not said here* | the door |  |  |  |  | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP V NP.patient»: agent=Agent door=Patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The clerk curtly told us to wait.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:curtly:x2:1
# text = The clerk curtly told us to wait.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	clerk	clerk	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	curtly	curtly	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
4	told	tell	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	us	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	4	iobj	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	wait	wait	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **tell** *speech: assert* | past | the clerk |  | us |  |  | curtly *property* | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Agent we=Recipient clause=Topic |
| 2 | **wait** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive | the clerk *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The Caterpillar answered Alice curtly.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:curtly:x3:1
# text = The Caterpillar answered Alice curtly.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	Caterpillar	Caterpillar	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	answered	answer	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	Alice	Alice	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
5	curtly	curtly	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **answer** *speech: assert* | past | the Caterpillar |  | Alice |  |  | curtly *property* | vn reciprocate-112-1 «NP V PP»: agent=Agent alice=Eventuality |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She nodded curtly and walked away.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:curtly:x4:1
# text = She nodded curtly and walked away.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	nodded	nod	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	curtly	curtly	ADV	RB	_	2	advmod	_	_
4	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
5	walked	walk	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	2	conj	_	_
6	away	away	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **nod** | past | She |  |  |  |  | curtly *property* | vn wink-40.3.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **walk away** | past | She *not said here* |  |  |  |  | away *property* | vn resign-10.11-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He curtly refused to help.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:curtly:x5:1
# text = He curtly refused to help.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	curtly	curtly	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	_
3	refused	refuse	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	help	help	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **refuse** | past | He |  |  |  |  | curtly *property* | vn reject-77.2 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Agent clause=Theme |
| 2 | **not** **help** | to-infinitive | He *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn help-72.1-1-1 «NP V PP.theme»: agent=Agent |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The letter was curtly written.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:curtly:x6:1
# text = The letter was curtly written.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	letter	letter	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj:pass	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	aux:pass	_	_
4	curtly	curtly	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	nsubj:pass	_	_
5	written	write	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **write** | past · passive |  | the letter |  |  |  |  | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V NP»: subject=Theme |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
"I ain't tellin' no tales ter bad chilluns," said Uncle Remus curtly.

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:curtly:x7:1
# text = "I ain't tellin' no tales ter bad chilluns," said Uncle Remus curtly.
1	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	5	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	5	nsubj	_	_
3	ai	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	5	advmod	_	_
5	tellin	tellin	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	'	'	PUNCT	''	_	5	punct	_	_
7	no	no	DET	DT	PronType=Neg	8	det	_	_
8	tales	tale	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	14	nsubj	_	_
9	ter	ter	X	FW	_	11	compound	_	_
10	bad	bad	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	11	amod	_	_
11	chilluns	chillun	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	11	punct	_	_
14	said	say	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
15	Uncle	Uncle	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	16	compound	_	_
16	Remus	Remus	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	14	nsubj	_	_
17	curtly	curtly	ADV	RB	_	14	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	14	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **is a** *in a quote* | present | no tales  ter bad chilluns *= tale* | tellin |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **say** *speech: assert* | past | no tales  ter bad chilluns |  |  |  |  | curtly *property* | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: 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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