---
title: descriptor — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «descriptor» in the school dictionary: A word or phrase that describes something or tells you what kind of thing it is. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# descriptor

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** word, kind, sentence, pupil, data, you · **What happens:** describe, tell, be, explain, show, reach · **To what, where:** something, you, kind, level, mark scheme, file · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A word or phrase that describes something or tells you what kind of thing it is.

<!-- fold The tree, 16 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:descriptor:m1:1
# text = A word or phrase that describes something or tells you what kind of thing it is.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	word	word	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	4	cc	_	_
4	phrase	phrase	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	conj	_	_
5	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	6	nsubj	_	_
6	describes	describe	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	2	acl:relcl	_	_
7	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	6	obj	_	_
8	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
9	tells	tell	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	conj	_	_
10	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Person=2|PronType=Prs	9	iobj	_	_
11	what	what	DET	WDT	PronType=Int	12	det	_	_
12	kind	kind	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obj	_	_
13	of	of	ADP	IN	_	14	case	_	_
14	thing	thing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	nmod	_	_
15	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	12	nsubj	_	_
16	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	12	cop	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **describe** | present | a word or phrase | something |  |  |  |  | vn characterize-29.2-1-1 «NP V NP S\_ING»: agent=Agent something=Theme |
| 2 | **tell** *speech: assert* | present | a word or phrase *not said here* |  | you |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP.recipient»: agent=Agent you=Recipient |
| 3 | **is a** | present | kind | what kind |  |  |  | of thing | tree rules |

<!-- .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}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A sentence that explains what a pupil must show to reach a level or grade in a mark scheme.

<!-- fold The tree, 19 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:descriptor:m2:1
# text = A sentence that explains what a pupil must show to reach a level or grade in a mark scheme.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	sentence	sentence	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	4	nsubj	_	_
4	explains	explain	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	what	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	9	obj	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	pupil	pupil	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nsubj	_	_
8	must	must	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	9	aux	_	_
9	show	show	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	ccomp	_	_
10	to	to	PART	TO	_	11	mark	_	_
11	reach	reach	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	9	xcomp	_	_
12	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	level	level	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obj	_	_
14	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	15	cc	_	_
15	grade	grade	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	conj	_	_
16	in	in	ADP	IN	_	19	case	_	_
17	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	19	det	_	_
18	mark	mark	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	19	compound	_	_
19	scheme	scheme	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
20	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **explain** *speech: assert* | present | a sentence |  |  |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V how S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **show** | must | a pupil |  |  |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Agent what=Recipient clause=Topic |
| 3 | **reach** | to-infinitive | a pupil *not said here* | a level or grade |  | a mark scheme |  |  | vn body\_motion-49.2-1-1 «NP V NP ADV»: agent=Agent level=Theme |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A label or piece of data that describes a file or item.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:descriptor:m3:1
# text = A label or piece of data that describes a file or item.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	label	label	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	4	cc	_	_
4	piece	piece	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	conj	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	data	data	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nmod	_	_
7	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	8	nsubj	_	_
8	describes	describe	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	acl:relcl	_	_
9	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	file	file	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obj	_	_
11	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	12	cc	_	_
12	item	item	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **describe** | present | data | a file or item |  |  |  |  | vn characterize-29.2-1-1 «NP V NP S\_ING»: agent=Agent file=Theme |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
«Spooky» is a good descriptor for the old house.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:descriptor:x1:1
# text = «Spooky» is a good descriptor for the old house.
1	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Spooky	spooky	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	2	punct	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	good	good	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	descriptor	descriptor	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
8	for	for	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
10	old	old	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	11	amod	_	_
11	house	house	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present |  | a good descriptor |  |  |  | for the old house | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Pick three descriptors for your main character.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:descriptor:x2:1
# text = Pick three descriptors for your main character.
1	Pick	pick	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	three	three	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	3	nummod	_	_
3	descriptors	descriptor	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obj	_	_
4	for	for	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
5	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	7	nmod:poss	_	_
6	main	main	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	character	character	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 | **pick** | imperative | you *not said here* | three descriptors |  |  |  | for your main character | vn get-13.5.1 «NP V NP PP.beneficiary»: agent=Agent descriptor=Theme for character=Beneficiary |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The teacher read us the descriptors for each grade.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:descriptor:x3:1
# text = The teacher read us the descriptors for each grade.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	teacher	teacher	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	read	read	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	us	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	3	obj	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	descriptors	descriptor	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	_
7	for	for	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	each	each	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	9	det	_	_
9	grade	grade	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **read** | past | the teacher | the descriptors | us |  |  | for each grade | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1 «NP V NP-Dative NP»: agent=Agent we=Recipient descriptor=Topic |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
(formal) Candidates should consult the assessment descriptors.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:descriptor:x4:1
# text = (formal) Candidates should consult the assessment descriptors.
1	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	formal	formal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	2	punct	_	_
4	Candidates	candidate	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nsubj	_	_
5	should	should	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	6	aux	_	_
6	consult	consult	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	assessment	assessment	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	compound	_	_
9	descriptors	descriptor	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 | **consult** | should | formal Candidates | the assessment descriptors |  |  |  |  | vn assessment-34.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent descriptor=Theme |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
«Large» and «huge» are both size descriptors.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:descriptor:x5:1
# text = «Large» and «huge» are both size descriptors.
1	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Large	large	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	11	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	2	punct	_	_
4	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
5	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	6	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	huge	huge	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	2	punct	_	_
8	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	11	cop	_	_
9	both	both	ADV	RB	_	11	advmod	_	_
10	size	size	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	compound	_	_
11	descriptors	descriptor	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	11	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present |  | size descriptors |  |  |  | both *property* | tree rules |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
(computing) Each file has a descriptor that tells the computer its type.

<!-- fold The tree, 12 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:descriptor:x6:1
# text = (computing) Each file has a descriptor that tells the computer its type.
1	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	computing	computing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	2	punct	_	_
4	Each	each	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	5	det	_	_
5	file	file	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
6	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	descriptor	descriptor	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	_
9	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	10	nsubj	_	_
10	tells	tell	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	acl:relcl	_	_
11	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	computer	computer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	iobj	_	_
13	its	its	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	14	nmod:poss	_	_
14	type	type	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | computing | a descriptor |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent descriptor=Patient |
| 2 | **tell** *speech: assert* | present | a descriptor | file's type | the computer |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP-Dative NP»: agent=Agent computer=Recipient type=Topic |
| 3 | **type** |  | file |  |  |  |  |  | nom type «cognition transitive»: poss=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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