---
title: fiddler — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «fiddler» in the school dictionary: A fiddler is a person who plays the fiddle, which is a violin, especially in folk, country or Irish music. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# fiddler

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** fiddler, person, fiddle, fiddler crab, male, Old King Cole · **What happens:** be, play, have, wave, cheat, change · **To what, where:** person, fiddle, violin, small crab, one huge claw, someone · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«fiddler» in the school dictionary: its 3 meanings for a pupil and its 9 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: [fiddler in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/fiddler.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A fiddler is a person who plays the fiddle, which is a violin, especially in folk, country or Irish music.

<!-- fold The tree, 20 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:fiddler:m1:1
# text = A fiddler is a person who plays the fiddle, which is a violin, especially in folk, country or Irish music.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	fiddler	fiddler	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	person	person	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	who	who	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	7	nsubj	_	_
7	plays	play	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	acl:relcl	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	fiddle	fiddle	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	14	punct	_	_
11	which	which	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	14	nsubj	_	_
12	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	14	cop	_	_
13	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	14	det	_	_
14	violin	violin	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	18	punct	_	_
16	especially	especially	ADV	RB	_	18	advmod	_	_
17	in	in	ADP	IN	_	18	case	_	_
18	folk	folk	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	appos	_	SpaceAfter=No
19	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	20	punct	_	_
20	country	country	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	18	conj	_	_
21	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	23	cc	_	_
22	Irish	Irish	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	23	amod	_	_
23	music	music	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	18	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
24	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a fiddler | a person |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **play** | present | a person | the fiddle and a violin |  |  |  |  | vn use-105.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent fiddle=Theme |
| 3 | **is a** | present | the fiddle and a violin | a violin |  |  |  |  | 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}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A fiddler crab is a small crab where the male has one huge claw that he waves.

<!-- fold The tree, 17 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:fiddler:m2:1
# text = A fiddler crab is a small crab where the male has one huge claw that he waves.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	fiddler	fiddler	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	crab	crab	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
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	small	small	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	crab	crab	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
8	where	where	ADV	WRB	PronType=Rel	11	advmod	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	male	male	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	nsubj	_	_
11	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	acl:relcl	_	_
12	one	one	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	14	nummod	_	_
13	huge	huge	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	14	amod	_	_
14	claw	claw	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obj	_	_
15	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	17	mark	_	_
16	he	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	17	nsubj	_	_
17	waves	wave	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	14	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a fiddler crab | a small crab |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **have** | present | the male | one huge claw |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent claw=Patient |
| 3 | **wave** | present | male |  |  |  |  |  | vn wink-40.3.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A fiddler is someone who cheats a little, for example by changing numbers on forms to get money.

<!-- fold The tree, 18 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:fiddler:m3:1
# text = A fiddler is someone who cheats a little, for example by changing numbers on forms to get money.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	fiddler	fiddler	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
4	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	0	root	_	_
5	who	who	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	6	nsubj	_	_
6	cheats	cheat	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	acl:relcl	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	little	little	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
10	for	for	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
11	example	example	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	_
12	by	by	SCONJ	IN	_	13	mark	_	_
13	changing	change	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	6	advcl	_	_
14	numbers	number	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	13	obj	_	_
15	on	on	ADP	IN	_	16	case	_	_
16	forms	form	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	13	obl	_	_
17	to	to	PART	TO	_	18	mark	_	_
18	get	get	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	13	advcl	_	_
19	money	money	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	18	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
20	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a fiddler | someone |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **cheat** | present |  | a little |  |  |  | for example | vn cheat-10.6.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent little=Source |
| 3 | **change** | gerund |  | numbers |  | forms |  |  | vn dress-41.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent number=Patient |
| 4 | **get** | to-infinitive |  | money |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer money=Stimulus |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The fiddler played a fast Irish jig.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:fiddler:x1:1
# text = The fiddler played a fast Irish jig.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	fiddler	fiddler	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	played	play	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
5	fast	fast	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
6	Irish	Irish	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	jig	jig	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **play** | past | the fiddler | a fast Irish jig |  |  |  |  | vn use-105.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent jig=Theme |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Old King Cole called for his fiddlers three.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:fiddler:x2:1
# text = Old King Cole called for his fiddlers three.
1	Old	old	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
2	King	King	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	Cole	Cole	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	called	call	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	for	for	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	7	nmod:poss	_	_
7	fiddlers	fiddler	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	xcomp	_	_
8	three	three	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	7	flat	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **call** | past | Old King Cole | Cole's fiddlers |  |  |  |  | vn initiate\_communication-37.4.2-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Everyone danced when the fiddler started playing.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:fiddler:x3:1
# text = Everyone danced when the fiddler started playing.
1	Everyone	everyone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Tot	2	nsubj	_	_
2	danced	dance	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	when	when	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	6	advmod	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	fiddler	fiddler	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
6	started	start	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	2	advcl	_	_
7	playing	play	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	6	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **dance** | past | Everyone |  |  |  |  |  | vn modes\_of\_being\_with\_motion-47.3 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 2 | **start** | past | the fiddler |  |  |  |  |  | vn begin-55.1-1-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Agent clause=Eventuality |
| 3 | **play** | gerund | the fiddler *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn performance-26.7-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The fiddler crab waved its giant claw.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:fiddler:x4:1
# text = The fiddler crab waved its giant claw.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	fiddler	fiddler	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	crab	crab	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	waved	wave	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	its	its	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	7	nmod:poss	_	_
6	giant	giant	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	claw	claw	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **wave** | past | the fiddler crab | crab's giant claw |  |  |  |  | vn wink-40.3.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent claw=Patient |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
My grandad was a fiddler in a country band.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:fiddler:x5:1
# text = My grandad was a fiddler in a country band.
1	My	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	grandad	grandad	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	fiddler	fiddler	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	country	country	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	compound	_	_
9	band	band	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | past | My grandad | a fiddler |  | a country band |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A fiddler and a piper played at the wedding.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:fiddler:x6:1
# text = A fiddler and a piper played at the wedding.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	fiddler	fiddler	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	piper	piper	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	conj	_	_
6	played	play	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	2	acl	_	_
7	at	at	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	wedding	wedding	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **play** | participle |  | a fiddler and a piper *not said here* |  | the wedding |  |  | vn performance-26.7-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
(UK, informal) The boss found out he was a fiddler who changed his work hours.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:fiddler:x7:1
# text = (UK, informal) The boss found out he was a fiddler who changed his work hours.
1	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	UK	UK	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	4	punct	_	_
4	informal	informal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	2	punct	_	_
6	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	boss	boss	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nsubj	_	_
8	found	find	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
9	out	out	ADP	RP	_	8	compound:prt	_	_
10	he	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	13	nsubj	_	_
11	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	13	cop	_	_
12	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	fiddler	fiddler	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	ccomp	_	_
14	who	who	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	15	nsubj	_	_
15	changed	change	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	13	acl:relcl	_	_
16	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	18	nmod:poss	_	_
17	work	work	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	18	compound	_	_
18	hours	hour	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	15	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
19	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **find out** | past | the boss | UK |  |  |  |  | vn learn-14-2-1 «NP V PP.topic»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **is a** | past | boss | a fiddler |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **change** | past | a fiddler |  |  |  | hour |  | vn dress-41.1.1-1-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The street fiddler had a hat for coins.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:fiddler:x8:1
# text = The street fiddler had a hat for coins.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	street	street	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	fiddler	fiddler	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	had	have	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	hat	hat	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	_
7	for	for	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	coins	coin	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | past | the street fiddler | a hat |  |  |  | for coins | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent hat=Patient |

## Example 9 {#x9}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The Fiddler got back to the village.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:fiddler:x9:1
# text = The Fiddler got back to the village.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	Fiddler	fiddler	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	got	get	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	back	back	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	_
5	to	to	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	village	village	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 | **get back** | past | the Fiddler |  |  |  |  | to the village *result* | vn convert-26.6.2 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Patient to village=Result |

<!-- 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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