---
title: kestrel — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «kestrel» in the school dictionary: A kestrel is a small bird of prey, a kind of falcon, with brown feathers and a long tail. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# kestrel

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** kestrel, It, Kestrels, We · **What happens:** be, hover, beat, look down, swoop down, catch · **To what, where:** small bird, one place, wings, kestrel, field, mouse

<!-- .vabout -->
«kestrel» in the school dictionary: its 2 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: [kestrel in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/kestrel.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A kestrel is a small bird of prey, a kind of falcon, with brown feathers and a long tail.

<!-- fold The tree, 19 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:kestrel:m1:1
# text = A kestrel is a small bird of prey, a kind of falcon, with brown feathers and a long tail.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	kestrel	kestrel	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	small	small	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	bird	bird	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	prey	prey	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
10	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	kind	kind	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	conj	_	_
12	of	of	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
13	falcon	falcon	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	17	punct	_	_
15	with	with	ADP	IN	_	17	case	_	_
16	brown	brown	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	17	amod	_	_
17	feathers	feather	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	conj	_	_
18	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	21	cc	_	_
19	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	21	det	_	_
20	long	long	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	21	amod	_	_
21	tail	tail	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	17	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
22	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a kestrel | a small bird and a kind of falcon and brown feathers and a long tail |  |  |  | of prey | 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 -->
It is famous for hovering in one place in the air, beating its wings, while looking down for mice and insects.

<!-- fold The tree, 21 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:kestrel:m2:1
# text = It is famous for hovering in one place in the air, beating its wings, while looking down for mice and insects.
1	It	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	cop	_	_
3	famous	famous	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
4	for	for	SCONJ	IN	_	5	mark	_	_
5	hovering	hover	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	3	advcl	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	one	one	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	8	nummod	_	_
8	place	place	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	_
9	in	in	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	air	air	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
13	beating	beat	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	5	conj	_	_
14	its	its	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	15	nmod:poss	_	_
15	wings	wing	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	13	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	18	punct	_	_
17	while	while	SCONJ	IN	_	18	mark	_	_
18	looking	look	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	5	conj	_	_
19	down	down	ADP	RP	_	18	compound:prt	_	_
20	for	for	ADP	IN	_	21	case	_	_
21	mice	mouse	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	18	obl	_	_
22	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	23	cc	_	_
23	insects	insect	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	21	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
24	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | It |  |  |  |  | famous *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **hover** | gerund |  |  |  | one place in the air |  |  | vn modes\_of\_being\_with\_motion-47.3 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme in place=Location |
| 3 | **beat** | gerund |  | air's wings |  |  |  |  | vn sound\_emission-43.2 «PP.location V NP»: agent=Location wing=Theme |
| 4 | **look down** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  | for mice and insects | vn rummage-35.5 «NP V PP.location PP.theme»: agent=Agent for mouse=Theme |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A kestrel hovered above the field.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:kestrel:x1:1
# text = A kestrel hovered above the field.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	kestrel	kestrel	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	hovered	hover	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	2	acl	_	_
4	above	above	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	field	field	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **hover** | participle |  | a kestrel *not said here* |  | the field |  |  | vn modes\_of\_being\_with\_motion-47.3 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme above field=Location |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The kestrel swooped down and caught a mouse.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:kestrel:x2:1
# text = The kestrel swooped down and caught a mouse.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	kestrel	kestrel	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	swooped	swoop	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	down	down	ADP	RP	_	3	compound:prt	_	_
5	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	caught	catch	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	conj	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	mouse	mouse	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **swoop down** | past | the kestrel |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **catch** | past | the kestrel *not said here* | a mouse |  |  |  |  | vn get-13.5.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent mouse=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Kestrels are small falcons.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:kestrel:x3:1
# text = Kestrels are small falcons.
1	Kestrels	kestrel	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj	_	_
2	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
3	small	small	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	falcons	falcon	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

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

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We saw a kestrel beside the motorway.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:kestrel:x4:1
# text = We saw a kestrel beside the motorway.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	saw	see	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	kestrel	kestrel	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	beside	beside	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	motorway	motorway	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **see** | past | We | a kestrel |  | the motorway |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer kestrel=Stimulus |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In the food chain, the vole is eaten by the kestrel.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:kestrel:x5:1
# text = In the food chain, the vole is eaten by the kestrel.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
3	food	food	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	compound	_	_
4	chain	chain	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	4	punct	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	vole	vole	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nsubj:pass	_	_
8	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	aux:pass	_	_
9	eaten	eat	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
10	by	by	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	kestrel	kestrel	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **eat** | present · passive | the kestrel | the vole |  | the food chain |  |  | vn eat-39.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent subject=Patient |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A kestrel has sharp talons and a hooked beak.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:kestrel:x6:1
# text = A kestrel has sharp talons and a hooked beak.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	kestrel	kestrel	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	sharp	sharp	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	talons	talon	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	_
6	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	hooked	hook	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	9	amod	_	_
9	beak	beak	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | a kestrel | sharp talons and a hooked beak |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent talon=Patient |
| 2 | **hook** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn coil-9.6-1 «NP V ADV-Middle»: agent=Theme |

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**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.

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