---
title: description — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «description» in the school dictionary: A description is words that tell what someone or something is like — how it looks, sounds, feels or behaves. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# description

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** description, words, someone, act, you, She · **What happens:** be, tell, look, sound, feel, behave · **To what, where:** words, act, kind, person, description, favourite place · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A description is words that tell what someone or something is like — how it looks, sounds, feels or behaves.

<!-- fold The tree, 19 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:description:m1:1
# text = A description is words that tell what someone or something is like — how it looks, sounds, feels or behaves.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	description	description	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
4	words	word	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	0	root	_	_
5	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	6	nsubj	_	_
6	tell	tell	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	acl:relcl	_	_
7	what	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	6	obj	_	_
8	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	12	nsubj	_	_
9	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	10	cc	_	_
10	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	8	conj	_	_
11	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	12	cop	_	_
12	like	like	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	acl:relcl	_	_
13	—	-	PUNCT	:	_	16	punct	_	_
14	how	how	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	16	advmod	_	_
15	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	16	nsubj	_	_
16	looks	look	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	12	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	18	punct	_	_
18	sounds	sound	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	16	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
19	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	20	punct	_	_
20	feels	feel	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	16	conj	_	_
21	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	22	cc	_	_
22	behaves	behave	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	20	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
23	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a description | words |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **tell** *speech: assert* | present | words | words |  |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP.recipient»: agent=Agent what=Recipient |
| 3 | **is** | present | someone |  |  |  |  | like *property* | tree rules |
| 4 | **look** | present | description |  |  |  |  |  | vn stimulus\_subject-30.4 «NP V PP.attribute»: agent=Stimulus |
| 5 | **sound** | present | description *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn stimulus\_subject-30.4 «NP V PP.attribute»: agent=Stimulus |
| 6 | **feel** | present | description *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn stimulus\_subject-30.4 «NP V PP.attribute»: agent=Stimulus |
| 7 | **behave** | present | description *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn masquerade-29.6-1 «NP V PP.attribute»: 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 -->
A description is the act of describing.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:description:m2:1
# text = A description is the act of describing.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	description	description	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	act	act	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	of	of	SCONJ	IN	_	7	mark	_	_
7	describing	describe	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	5	acl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a description | the act |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **describe** | gerund | the act *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn characterize-29.2-1-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Agent |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A description can also mean a kind or sort of person or thing.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:description:m3:1
# text = A description can also mean a kind or sort of person or thing.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	description	description	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	5	aux	_	_
4	also	also	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
5	mean	mean	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	kind	kind	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	_
8	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
9	sort	sort	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	conj	_	_
10	of	of	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
11	person	person	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nmod	_	_
12	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	13	cc	_	_
13	thing	thing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | can | a description | a kind or sort of person or thing |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent kind=Topic |
| 2 | **sort** |  |  | person or thing |  |  |  |  | nom sort «cognition transitive»: of=patient |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Write a description of your favourite place.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:description:x1:1
# text = Write a description of your favourite place.
1	Write	write	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	description	description	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
5	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	7	nmod:poss	_	_
6	favourite	favourite	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	place	place	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nmod	_	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 description of your favourite place |  |  |  |  | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent description=Theme |
| 2 | **describe** |  |  | your favourite place |  |  |  |  | nom description «communication transitive»: of=patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She gave the police a description of the man.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:description:x2:1
# text = She gave the police a description of the man.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	gave	give	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	police	police	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	iobj	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	description	description	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	man	man	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **give** | past | She | a description of the man | the police |  |  |  | vn give-13.1-1 «NP V NP-Dative NP»: agent=Agent police=Recipient description=Theme |
| 2 | **describe** |  |  | the man |  |  |  |  | nom description «communication transitive»: of=patient |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The book has a lovely description of the sea.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:description:x3:1
# text = The book has a lovely description of the sea.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	book	book	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	lovely	lovely	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	description	description	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	sea	sea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | the book | a lovely description of the sea |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent description=Patient |
| 2 | **describe** |  |  | the sea |  |  |  |  | nom description «communication transitive»: of=patient |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The puppy fits the description of the lost dog.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:description:x4:1
# text = The puppy fits the description of the lost dog.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	puppy	puppy	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	fits	fit	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	description	description	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	lost	lose	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	9	amod	_	_
9	dog	dog	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **fit** | present | the puppy | the description of the lost dog |  |  |  |  | vn adjust-26.9 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent description=Patient |
| 2 | **lose** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn succeed-74-3-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **describe** |  |  | the lost dog |  |  |  |  | nom description «communication transitive»: of=patient |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
His description of the storm made me shiver.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:description:x5:1
# text = His description of the storm made me shiver.
1	His	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	description	description	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	of	of	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	storm	storm	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nmod	_	_
6	made	make	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	me	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	6	obj	_	_
8	shiver	shiver	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | past | His description of the storm | me |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **shiver** | infinitive | me *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn body\_internal\_states-40.6 «NP V»: agent=Experiencer |
| 3 | **describe** |  | His *= he* | the storm |  |  |  |  | nom description «communication transitive»: poss=agent of=patient |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Add a description under each picture.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:description:x6:1
# text = Add a description under each picture.
1	Add	add	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	description	description	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	under	under	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	each	each	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	6	det	_	_
6	picture	picture	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **add** *speech: assert* | imperative | you *not said here* | a description |  | each picture |  |  | vn mix-22.1-2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent description=Patient |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The view was beautiful beyond description.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:description:x7:1
# text = The view was beautiful beyond description.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	view	view	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
4	beautiful	beautiful	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
5	beyond	beyond	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	description	description	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | the view |  |  |  |  | beyond description; beautiful *property* | tree rules |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Here lies a maiden of another description.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:description:x8:1
# text = Here lies a maiden of another description.
1	Here	here	ADV	RB	PronType=Dem	2	advmod	_	_
2	lies	lie	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	maiden	maiden	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	another	another	DET	DT	PronType=Ind	7	det	_	_
7	description	description	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **lie** | present |  | a maiden of another description |  | here |  |  | vn spatial\_configuration-47.6 «PP.location V NP»: agent=Location maiden=Theme |

<!-- 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 -->

<!-- pn -->
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