---
title: hierarchy — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «hierarchy» in the school dictionary: A system where people or things are arranged in levels, from the most important or powerful at the top to the least at the bottom. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# hierarchy

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** king, Wolves, Catholic Church, hierarchy, Chickens · **What happens:** arrange, charge, be, have, sort, go · **To what, where:** system, levels, organisation, top, hierarchy, Living things · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A system where people or things are arranged in levels, from the most important or powerful at the top to the least at the bottom.

<!-- fold The tree, 25 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:hierarchy:m1:1
# text = A system where people or things are arranged in levels, from the most important or powerful at the top to the least at the bottom.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	system	system	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nsubj	_	_
3	where	where	ADV	WRB	PronType=Rel	8	advmod	_	_
4	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	nsubj	_	_
5	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	things	thing	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	conj	_	_
7	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	aux:pass	_	_
8	arranged	arrange	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
9	in	in	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	levels	level	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	15	punct	_	_
12	from	from	ADP	IN	_	15	case	_	_
13	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	15	det	_	_
14	most	most	ADV	RBS	Degree=Sup	15	advmod	_	_
15	important	important	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	parataxis	_	_
16	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	17	cc	_	_
17	powerful	powerful	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	15	conj	_	_
18	at	at	ADP	IN	_	20	case	_	_
19	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	20	det	_	_
20	top	top	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	17	obl	_	_
21	to	to	ADP	IN	_	23	case	_	_
22	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	23	det	_	_
23	least	least	ADJ	JJS	Degree=Sup	20	appos	_	_
24	at	at	ADP	IN	_	26	case	_	_
25	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	26	det	_	_
26	bottom	bottom	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	23	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
27	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **arrange** | present · passive |  | a system |  | levels |  |  | vn put-9.1 «NP V NP PP.destination»: subject=Theme in level=Destination |

<!-- .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 -->
The people in charge of an organisation, such as a church or company.

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:hierarchy:m2:1
# text = The people in charge of an organisation, such as a church or company.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj	_	_
3	in	in	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
4	charge	charge	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	organisation	organisation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
9	such	such	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos|ExtPos=ADP	12	case	_	_
10	as	as	ADP	IN	_	9	fixed	_	_
11	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	church	church	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	conj	_	_
13	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	14	cc	_	_
14	company	company	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **charge** |  |  | a organisation |  |  |  |  | nom charge «act transitive»: of=patient |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Any ordering of things into levels, like groups inside groups.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:hierarchy:m3:1
# text = Any ordering of things into levels, like groups inside groups.
1	Any	any	DET	DT	PronType=Ind	2	det	_	_
2	ordering	ordering	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	of	of	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
4	things	thing	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nmod	_	_
5	into	into	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	levels	level	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	9	punct	_	_
8	like	like	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	groups	group	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	conj	_	_
10	inside	inside	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
11	groups	group	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

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

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In the feudal hierarchy, the king was at the top.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:hierarchy:x1:1
# text = In the feudal hierarchy, the king was at the top.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
3	feudal	feudal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	hierarchy	hierarchy	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	4	punct	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	king	king	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	nsubj	_	_
8	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	11	cop	_	_
9	at	at	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	top	top	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	11	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | the king |  |  | the top |  | in the feudal hierarchy | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Wolves in a pack have a hierarchy.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:hierarchy:x2:1
# text = Wolves in a pack have a hierarchy.
1	Wolves	wolf	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	nsubj	_	_
2	in	in	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	pack	pack	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	nmod	_	_
5	have	have	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	hierarchy	hierarchy	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

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

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Living things are sorted in a hierarchy from kingdom to species.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:hierarchy:x3:1
# text = Living things are sorted in a hierarchy from kingdom to species.
1	Living	living	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	things	thing	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj:pass	_	_
3	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux:pass	_	_
4	sorted	sort	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
5	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	hierarchy	hierarchy	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	_
8	from	from	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	kingdom	kingdom	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	_
10	to	to	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
11	species	species	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **sort** | present · passive |  | Living things |  |  |  | in a hierarchy from kingdom *goal*; to species | vn classify-29.10 «NP V NP PP.goal»: subject=Theme in hierarchy=Goal |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The Catholic Church has a hierarchy of bishops and priests.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:hierarchy:x4:1
# text = The Catholic Church has a hierarchy of bishops and priests.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	Catholic	Catholic	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	Church	Church	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	hierarchy	hierarchy	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	bishops	bishop	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nmod	_	_
9	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	10	cc	_	_
10	priests	priest	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | the Catholic Church | a hierarchy of bishops and priests |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent hierarchy=Patient |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
At school the hierarchy goes from the head teacher to the teachers and assistants.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:hierarchy:x5:1
# text = At school the hierarchy goes from the head teacher to the teachers and assistants.
1	At	at	ADP	IN	_	2	case	_	_
2	school	school	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	hierarchy	hierarchy	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
5	goes	go	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	from	from	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	head	head	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	compound	_	_
9	teacher	teacher	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	_
10	to	to	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	teachers	teacher	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obl	_	_
13	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	14	cc	_	_
14	assistants	assistant	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	12	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **go** | present | the hierarchy |  | the teachers and assistants | school |  | from the head teacher | vn escape-51.1-1 «NP V PP.initial\_location PP.destination»: agent=Theme from teacher=Initial\_Location to teacher=Destination |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Chickens have a hierarchy called a pecking order.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:hierarchy:x6:1
# text = Chickens have a hierarchy called a pecking order.
1	Chickens	chicken	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	have	have	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	hierarchy	hierarchy	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	called	call	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	4	acl	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
7	pecking	pecking	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	compound	_	_
8	order	order	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | Chickens | a hierarchy |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent hierarchy=Patient |
| 2 | **call** | participle | a hierarchy *not said here* | a pecking order |  |  |  |  | vn initiate\_communication-37.4.2-1 «NP V NP.recipient»: agent=Agent order=Recipient |

<!-- 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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