---
title: definition — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «definition» in the school dictionary: A statement of what a word or idea means. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# definition

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** word, clear picture, you, definition, square, TV · **What happens:** mean, be, look up, define, have, write · **To what, where:** high definition, definition, dictionary, shape, triangle, four right angles · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A statement of what a word or idea means.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:definition:m1:1
# text = A statement of what a word or idea means.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	statement	statement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	of	of	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
4	what	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	2	nmod	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	word	word	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nsubj	_	_
7	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	idea	idea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	conj	_	_
9	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | a word or idea |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=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 -->
How clear a picture or sound is (high definition, HD).

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:definition:m2:1
# text = How clear a picture or sound is (high definition, HD).
1	How	how	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	2	advmod	_	_
2	clear	clear	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	picture	picture	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nsubj	_	_
5	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	sound	sound	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	conj	_	_
7	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	10	cop	_	_
8	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	10	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	high	high	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
10	definition	definition	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
12	HD	hd	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	appos	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	12	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	10	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a clear picture or sound | high definition |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Clear shape or outline (muscle definition).

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:definition:m3:1
# text = Clear shape or outline (muscle definition).
1	Clear	clear	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	shape	shape	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	4	cc	_	_
4	outline	outline	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	conj	_	_
5	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	7	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	muscle	muscle	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	compound	_	_
7	definition	definition	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	appos	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	7	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .note -->
The frames reader finds no event or fact in this sentence.

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Look up the definition in the dictionary.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:definition:x1:1
# text = Look up the definition in the dictionary.
1	Look	look	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	up	up	ADP	RP	_	1	compound:prt	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	definition	definition	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
5	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	dictionary	dictionary	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 | **look up** | imperative | you *not said here* | the definition |  | the dictionary |  |  | vn seem-109-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Theme definition=Attribute |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The definition of a triangle is a shape with three straight sides.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:definition:x2:1
# text = The definition of a triangle is a shape with three straight sides.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	definition	definition	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nsubj	_	_
3	of	of	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	triangle	triangle	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nmod	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	cop	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	shape	shape	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
9	with	with	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
10	three	three	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	12	nummod	_	_
11	straight	straight	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	12	amod	_	_
12	sides	side	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | the definition of a triangle | a shape |  |  |  | with three straight sides | tree rules |
| 2 | **define** |  |  | a triangle |  |  |  |  | nom definition «communication transitive»: of=patient |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
By definition, a square has four right angles.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:definition:x3:1
# text = By definition, a square has four right angles.
1	By	by	ADP	IN	_	2	case	_	_
2	definition	definition	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	2	punct	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	square	square	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
6	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	four	four	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	9	nummod	_	_
8	right	right	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	angles	angle	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

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

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The TV has high definition.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:definition:x4:1
# text = The TV has high definition.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	TV	TV	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	high	high	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	definition	definition	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

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

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Write a definition for each key word.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:definition:x5:1
# text = Write a definition for each key word.
1	Write	write	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	definition	definition	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	for	for	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
5	each	each	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	7	det	_	_
6	key	key	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	word	word	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 | **write** | imperative | you *not said here* | a definition |  |  |  | for each key word | vn create-26.4-1 «NP V NP PP.beneficiary»: agent=Agent definition=Result for word=Beneficiary |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The photo lacked definition; it was blurry.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:definition:x6:1
# text = The photo lacked definition; it was blurry.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	photo	photo	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	lacked	lack	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	definition	definition	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	;	;	PUNCT	,	_	8	punct	_	_
6	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
7	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	8	cop	_	_
8	blurry	blurry	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **lack** | past | the photo | definition |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **is** | past | photo |  |  |  |  | blurry *property* | tree rules |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Tales told of Finn of Cuchulain, and therefore coming under the definition of hero-tales, are found elsewhere told of anonymous or unknown heroes.

<!-- fold The tree, 24 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:definition:x7:1
# text = Tales told of Finn of Cuchulain, and therefore coming under the definition of hero-tales, are found elsewhere told of anonymous or unknown heroes.
1	Tales	tale	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	20	nsubj:pass	_	_
2	told	tell	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	1	acl	_	_
3	of	of	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
4	Finn	Finn	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	2	iobj	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	Cuchulain	Cuchulain	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	4	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
8	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	10	cc	_	_
9	therefore	therefore	ADV	RB	_	10	advmod	_	_
10	coming	come	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	2	conj	_	_
11	under	under	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
12	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	definition	definition	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	obl	_	_
14	of	of	ADP	IN	_	17	case	_	_
15	hero	hero	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	17	compound	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	-	-	PUNCT	HYPH	_	15	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	tales	tale	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	13	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	1	punct	_	_
19	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	20	aux:pass	_	_
20	found	find	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
21	elsewhere	elsewhere	ADV	RB	_	22	advmod	_	_
22	told	tell	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	20	advcl	_	_
23	of	of	ADP	IN	_	27	case	_	_
24	anonymous	anonymous	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	27	amod	_	_
25	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	26	cc	_	_
26	unknown	unknown	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	24	conj	_	_
27	heroes	hero	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	22	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
28	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	20	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **tell** *speech: assert* | participle |  | Tales *not said here* | Finn of Cuchulain |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP.recipient»: agent=Agent finn=Recipient |
| 2 | **come** | gerund |  |  |  | the definition of hero tales |  | therefore *property* | vn appear-48.1.1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme under definition=Location |
| 3 | **find** | present · passive |  | Tales |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V NP»: subject=Topic |
| 4 | **tell** *speech: assert* | participle |  |  |  |  |  | of anonymous heroes; elsewhere *property* | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 5 | **define** |  |  | hero tales |  |  |  |  | nom definition «communication transitive»: of=patient |

<!-- 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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