---
title: defamation — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «defamation» in the school dictionary: Defamation is saying or writing something untrue about a person that damages their good name. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# defamation

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Defamation, person, their, actor, Spreading, judge · **What happens:** say, write, damage, name, call, speak · **To what, where:** something, good name, Defamation, spoken defamation, newspaper, lies · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«defamation» in the school dictionary: its 2 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: [defamation in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/defamation.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Defamation is saying or writing something untrue about a person that damages their good name.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:defamation:m1:1
# text = Defamation is saying or writing something untrue about a person that damages their good name.
1	Defamation	defamation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
3	saying	say	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
4	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
5	writing	write	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	3	conj	_	_
6	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	5	obj	_	_
7	untrue	untrue	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
8	about	about	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	person	person	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obl	_	_
11	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	12	nsubj	_	_
12	damages	damage	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	10	acl:relcl	_	_
13	their	their	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	15	nmod:poss	_	_
14	good	good	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	15	amod	_	_
15	name	name	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **say** *speech: assert* | present · progressive | Defamation |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **write** | gerund | Defamation *not said here* | something |  |  |  |  | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent something=Theme |
| 3 | **damage** | present | a person | their good name |  |  |  |  | vn destroy-44 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent name=Patient |
| 4 | **name** |  | their *= they* |  |  |  |  |  | nom name «communication transitive»: poss=agent |

<!-- .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 -->
Defamation in writing is called libel; spoken defamation is called slander.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:defamation:m2:1
# text = Defamation in writing is called libel; spoken defamation is called slander.
1	Defamation	defamation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj:pass	_	_
2	in	in	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
3	writing	writing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	nmod	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	aux:pass	_	_
5	called	call	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
6	libel	libel	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	;	;	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
8	spoken	speak	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	9	amod	_	_
9	defamation	defamation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	nsubj:pass	_	_
10	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	11	aux:pass	_	_
11	called	call	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	5	conj	_	_
12	slander	slander	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **call** | present · passive |  | Defamation in writing |  |  |  |  | vn initiate\_communication-37.4.2-1 «NP V NP.recipient»: subject=Recipient |
| 2 | **speak** *speech: other* | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn talk-37.5 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **call** | present · passive |  | spoken defamation |  |  |  |  | vn initiate\_communication-37.4.2-1 «NP V NP.recipient»: subject=Recipient |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The actor sued the newspaper for defamation.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:defamation:x1:1
# text = The actor sued the newspaper for defamation.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	actor	actor	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	sued	sue	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	newspaper	newspaper	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	for	for	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	defamation	defamation	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 | **sue** | past | the actor | the newspaper |  |  |  | for defamation | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Spreading lies online about someone can be defamation.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:defamation:x2:1
# text = Spreading lies online about someone can be defamation.
1	Spreading	spread	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	8	csubj	_	_
2	lies	lie	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obj	_	_
3	online	online	ADV	RB	_	1	advmod	_	_
4	about	about	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	1	obl	_	_
6	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	8	aux	_	_
7	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	8	cop	_	_
8	defamation	defamation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **spread** | gerund |  | lies |  |  |  | about someone; online *property* | vn spray-9.7-1 «NP V NP PP.destination»: agent=Agent lie=Theme about someone=Destination |
| 2 | **is a** | can | Spreading | defamation |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The judge said the article was defamation because it was not true.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:defamation:x3:1
# text = The judge said the article was defamation because it was not true.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	judge	judge	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	said	say	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	article	article	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
6	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
7	defamation	defamation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	ccomp	_	_
8	because	because	SCONJ	IN	_	12	mark	_	_
9	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	12	nsubj	_	_
10	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	12	cop	_	_
11	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	12	advmod	_	_
12	true	true	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **say** *speech: assert* | past | the judge |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **is a** | past | the article | defamation |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **not** **is** | past | article |  |  |  |  | true *property* | tree rules |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A defamation case can cost a lot of money.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:defamation:x4:1
# text = A defamation case can cost a lot of money.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	defamation	defamation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	case	case	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
4	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	5	aux	_	_
5	cost	cost	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	lot	lot	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	money	money	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **cost** | can | a defamation case | a lot of money |  |  |  |  | vn cost-54.2 «NP V NP.value»: agent=Theme lot=Value |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
It isn't defamation if what you say is true and fair.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:defamation:x5:1
# text = It isn't defamation if what you say is true and fair.
1	It	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	4	advmod	_	_
4	defamation	defamation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	if	if	SCONJ	IN	_	10	mark	_	_
6	what	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	10	nsubj	_	_
7	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
8	say	say	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	acl:relcl	_	_
9	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	10	cop	_	_
10	true	true	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	acl	_	_
11	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	12	cc	_	_
12	fair	fair	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **is a** | present | It | defamation |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **say** *speech: assert* | present | you |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **is** *a condition, not said to happen* | present | defamation |  |  |  |  | true *property* | tree rules |
| 4 | **be** |  | defamation *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Calling someone a thief without proof could be defamation of character.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:defamation:x6:1
# text = Calling someone a thief without proof could be defamation of character.
1	Calling	call	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	9	csubj	_	_
2	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	1	obj	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	thief	thief	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	xcomp	_	_
5	without	without	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	proof	proof	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	_
7	could	could	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	9	aux	_	_
8	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	9	cop	_	_
9	defamation	defamation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
10	of	of	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
11	character	character	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **call** | gerund |  |  | someone |  |  | without proof | vn initiate\_communication-37.4.2-1 «NP V NP.recipient»: agent=Agent someone=Recipient |
| 2 | **is a** | could | Calling | defamation |  |  |  | of character | tree rules |

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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.

<!-- /div -->

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