---
title: delicately — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «delicately» in the school dictionary: Gently and carefully, so as not to break or hurt something: «She held the eggshell delicately». Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# delicately

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** She, He, you, teacher, everything, I · **What happens:** not break, hurt, hold, paint, not upset, ask · **To what, where:** something, eggshell, anyone, butterfly, leaf, vase · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«delicately» in the school dictionary: its 4 meanings for a pupil and its 8 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: [delicately in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/delicately.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Gently and carefully, so as not to break or hurt something: «She held the eggshell delicately».

<!-- fold The tree, 16 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:delicately:m1:1
# text = Gently and carefully, so as not to break or hurt something: «She held the eggshell delicately».
1	Gently	gently	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	_
2	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	3	cc	_	_
3	carefully	carefully	ADV	RB	_	1	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	9	punct	_	_
5	so	so	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	_
6	as	as	SCONJ	IN	_	9	mark	_	_
7	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	9	advmod	_	_
8	to	to	PART	TO	_	9	mark	_	_
9	break	break	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
10	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	11	cc	_	_
11	hurt	hurt	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	9	conj	_	_
12	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	11	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	16	punct	_	_
14	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	16	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	16	nsubj	_	_
16	held	hold	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	9	parataxis	_	_
17	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	18	det	_	_
18	eggshell	eggshell	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	16	obj	_	_
19	delicately	delicately	ADV	RB	_	16	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
20	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	16	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **break** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  | gently *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **hurt** | infinitive |  | something |  |  |  |  | vn hurt-40.8.3-2 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer something=Patient |
| 3 | **hold** *in a quote* | past | She | the eggshell |  |  |  | delicately *property* | vn keep-15.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent eggshell=Theme |

<!-- .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 -->
In a fine, light and graceful way: «delicately painted flowers».

<!-- fold The tree, 10 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:delicately:m2:1
# text = In a fine, light and graceful way: «delicately painted flowers».
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
2	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
3	fine	fine	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	5	punct	_	_
5	light	light	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	conj	_	_
6	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	graceful	graceful	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	conj	_	_
8	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	13	punct	_	_
10	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	13	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	delicately	delicately	ADV	RB	_	12	advmod	_	_
12	painted	paint	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	13	amod	_	_
13	flowers	flower	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	13	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **paint** *in a quote* | participle |  |  |  |  |  | delicately *property* | vn image\_impression-25.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Tactfully, with care not to upset anyone: «He delicately asked about her illness».

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:delicately:m3:1
# text = Tactfully, with care not to upset anyone: «He delicately asked about her illness».
1	Tactfully	tactfully	ADV	RB	_	7	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	1	punct	_	_
3	with	with	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
4	care	care	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obl	_	_
5	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	7	advmod	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	upset	upset	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
8	anyone	anyone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	13	punct	_	_
10	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	13	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	13	nsubj	_	_
12	delicately	delicately	ADV	RB	_	13	advmod	_	_
13	asked	ask	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	7	parataxis	_	_
14	about	about	ADP	IN	_	16	case	_	_
15	her	her	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	16	nmod:poss	_	_
16	illness	illness	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	13	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **upset** | to-infinitive |  | anyone |  |  |  | with care; tactfully *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **ask** *speech: ask* *in a quote* | past | He |  |  |  |  | about her illness; delicately *property* | vn inquire-37.1.2 «NP V PP.topic whether S»: agent=Agent about illness=Topic |

## Meaning 4 {#m4}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
With a light, gentle flavour: «delicately spiced».

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:delicately:m4:1
# text = With a light, gentle flavour: «delicately spiced».
1	With	with	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	light	light	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	6	punct	_	_
5	gentle	gentle	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	flavour	flavour	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	3	punct	_	_
8	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	10	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	delicately	delicately	ADV	RB	_	10	advmod	_	_
10	spiced	spice	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	10	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	10	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **spice** *in a quote* | participle |  |  |  |  |  | with a light and gentle flavour; delicately *property* | vn butter-9.9 «NP V NP PP.theme»: agent=Agent with light=Theme |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She delicately lifted the butterfly onto a leaf.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:delicately:x1:1
# text = She delicately lifted the butterfly onto a leaf.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	delicately	delicately	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	_
3	lifted	lift	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	butterfly	butterfly	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	onto	onto	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	leaf	leaf	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **lift** | past | She | the butterfly |  | a leaf |  | delicately *property* | vn put\_direction-9.4 «NP V NP PP.destination»: agent=Agent butterfly=Theme onto leaf=Destination |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The vase was delicately painted with tiny birds.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:delicately:x2:1
# text = The vase was delicately painted with tiny birds.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	vase	vase	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	delicately	delicately	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
5	painted	paint	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
6	with	with	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	tiny	tiny	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	birds	bird	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **paint** | past · passive |  | the vase |  |  |  | with tiny birds; delicately *property* | vn image\_impression-25.1 «NP V NP.destination PP.theme»: subject=Destination with bird=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Handle the test tubes delicately.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:delicately:x3:1
# text = Handle the test tubes delicately.
1	Handle	handle	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
3	test	test	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	compound	_	_
4	tubes	tube	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obj	_	_
5	delicately	delicately	ADV	RB	_	1	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **handle** | imperative | you *not said here* | the test tubes |  |  |  | delicately *property* | vn hold-15.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent tube=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The teacher delicately asked if everything was all right at home.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:delicately:x4:1
# text = The teacher delicately asked if everything was all right at home.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	teacher	teacher	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	delicately	delicately	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
4	asked	ask	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	if	if	SCONJ	IN	_	9	mark	_	_
6	everything	everything	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Tot	9	nsubj	_	_
7	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	9	cop	_	_
8	all	all	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	_
9	right	right	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	ccomp	_	_
10	at	at	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
11	home	home	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **ask** *speech: ask* | past | the teacher |  |  |  |  | delicately *property* | vn inquire-37.1.2 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **is** *a condition, not said to happen* | past | everything |  |  | home |  | all, right *property* | tree rules |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The soup was delicately flavoured with herbs.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:delicately:x5:1
# text = The soup was delicately flavoured with herbs.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	soup	soup	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	delicately	delicately	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
5	flavoured	flavour	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
6	with	with	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	herbs	herb	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **flavour** | past · passive |  | the soup |  |  |  | with herbs; delicately *property* | tree rules |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
How can I put this delicately? Your shoes smell!

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 1:* How can I put this delicately?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:delicately:x6:1
# text = How can I put this delicately?
1	How	how	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	4	advmod	_	_
2	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
3	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
4	put	put	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
5	this	this	PRON	DT	Number=Sing|PronType=Dem	4	obj	_	_
6	delicately	delicately	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **put** | can | I | this |  |  |  | delicately *property* | vn invest-13.5.4-1 «NP V PP»: agent=Agent this=Goal |

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 2:* Your shoes smell!

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:delicately:x6:2
# text = Your shoes smell!
1	Your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	shoes	shoe	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	smell	smell	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	!	!	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **smell** | present | Your shoes |  |  |  |  |  | vn smell\_emission-43.3 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The rock was delicately balanced on the cliff edge.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:delicately:x7:1
# text = The rock was delicately balanced on the cliff edge.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	rock	rock	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	delicately	delicately	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
5	balanced	balance	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
6	on	on	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	cliff	cliff	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	compound	_	_
9	edge	edge	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **balance** | past · passive |  | the rock |  | the cliff edge |  | delicately *property* | vn spatial\_configuration-47.6-1 «NP V NP.theme PP»: subject=Theme on edge=Location |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She was still half a child and very delicately built; she had bright blue eyes, and a gentle, sweet expression.

<!-- fold The tree, 20 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:delicately:x8:1
# text = She was still half a child and very delicately built; she had bright blue eyes, and a gentle, sweet expression.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	6	nsubj	_	_
2	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
3	still	still	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
4	half	half	DET	PDT	NumForm=Word|NumType=Frac|PronType=Ind	6	det:predet	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	child	child	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	10	cc	_	_
8	very	very	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	_
9	delicately	delicately	ADV	RB	_	10	advmod	_	_
10	built	build	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	6	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	;	;	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
12	she	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	13	nsubj	_	_
13	had	have	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	6	conj	_	_
14	bright	bright	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	16	amod	_	_
15	blue	blue	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	16	amod	_	_
16	eyes	eye	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	13	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	23	punct	_	_
18	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	23	cc	_	_
19	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	23	det	_	_
20	gentle	gentle	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	23	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	20	punct	_	_
22	sweet	sweet	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	23	amod	_	_
23	expression	expression	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
24	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | past | She | half child |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **build** | participle | She *not said here* |  |  |  |  | delicately *property* | vn calibratable\_cos-45.6.1 «NP.attribute V»: agent=Attribute |
| 3 | **have** | past | child | bright blue eyes |  |  |  | a gentle sweet expression *obl* | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent eye=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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