---
title: kneecap — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «kneecap» in the school dictionary: The kneecap is the small, flat, roundish bone at the front of your knee. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# kneecap

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** kneecap, doctor, leg, you, proper name, She · **What happens:** be, kneecap, mean, shoot, hurt, protect · **To what, where:** small flat roundish bone, front, someone, them, knee, kneecap · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The kneecap is the small, flat, roundish bone at the front of your knee.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:kneecap:m1:1
# text = The kneecap is the small, flat, roundish bone at the front of your knee.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	kneecap	kneecap	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	10	cop	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
5	small	small	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	5	punct	_	_
7	flat	flat	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	7	punct	_	_
9	roundish	roundish	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
10	bone	bone	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
11	at	at	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
12	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	front	front	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nmod	_	_
14	of	of	ADP	IN	_	16	case	_	_
15	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	16	nmod:poss	_	_
16	knee	knee	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	10	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | the kneecap | the small flat roundish bone |  | the front of your knee |  |  | 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: rare, violent — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To kneecap someone means to shoot or hurt them in the knee as a cruel punishment.

<!-- fold The tree, 16 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:kneecap:m2:1
# text = To kneecap someone means to shoot or hurt them in the knee as a cruel punishment.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	kneecap	kneecap	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	csubj	_	_
3	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	_
4	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	shoot	shoot	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	xcomp	_	_
7	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	hurt	hurt	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	conj	_	_
9	them	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	obj	_	_
10	in	in	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	knee	knee	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	_
13	as	as	ADP	IN	_	16	case	_	_
14	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	16	det	_	_
15	cruel	cruel	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	16	amod	_	_
16	punishment	punishment	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **kneecap** | to-infinitive |  | someone |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **mean** | present |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 3 | **shoot** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn throw-17.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |
| 4 | **hurt** | infinitive |  | them *= they* |  | the knee |  | as a cruel punishment | vn hurt-40.8.3-2 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer they=Patient |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The kneecap protects the front of your knee joint.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:kneecap:x1:1
# text = The kneecap protects the front of your knee joint.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	kneecap	kneecap	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	protects	protect	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	front	front	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
7	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	9	nmod:poss	_	_
8	knee	knee	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	compound	_	_
9	joint	joint	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 | **protect** | present | the kneecap | the front of your knee joint |  |  |  |  | vn defend-72.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent front=Beneficiary |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The doctor tapped below my kneecap and my leg jumped.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:kneecap:x2:1
# text = The doctor tapped below my kneecap and my leg jumped.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	doctor	doctor	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	tapped	tap	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	below	below	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	my	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	6	nmod:poss	_	_
6	kneecap	kneecap	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	_
7	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	10	cc	_	_
8	my	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	9	nmod:poss	_	_
9	leg	leg	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nsubj	_	_
10	jumped	jump	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **tap** | past | the doctor |  |  | my kneecap |  |  | vn throw-17.1-1 «NP V NP PP.destinations»: agent=Agent below kneecap=Destination |
| 2 | **jump** | past | my leg |  |  |  |  |  | vn run-51.3.2-2-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Wear knee pads to protect your kneecaps.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:kneecap:x3:1
# text = Wear knee pads to protect your kneecaps.
1	Wear	wear	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	knee	knee	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	pads	pad	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obj	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	protect	protect	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	1	advcl	_	_
6	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	7	nmod:poss	_	_
7	kneecaps	kneecap	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **wear** | imperative | you *not said here* | knee pads |  |  |  |  | vn wipe\_manner-10.4.1-1 «NP V NP.source»: agent=Agent pad=Source |
| 2 | **protect** | to-infinitive | you *not said here* | your kneecaps |  |  |  |  | vn defend-72.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent kneecap=Beneficiary |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The proper name for the kneecap is the patella.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:kneecap:x4:1
# text = The proper name for the kneecap is the patella.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	proper	proper	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	name	name	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nsubj	_	_
4	for	for	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	kneecap	kneecap	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nmod	_	_
7	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	cop	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	patella	patella	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | the proper name for the kneecap | the patella |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She dislocated her kneecap playing netball.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:kneecap:x5:1
# text = She dislocated her kneecap playing netball.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	dislocated	dislocate	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	her	her	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	4	nmod:poss	_	_
4	kneecap	kneecap	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	playing	play	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	2	advcl	_	_
6	netball	netball	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **dislocate** | past | She | her kneecap |  |  |  |  | vn remedy-45.7 «NP V NP.patient»: agent=Agent kneecap=Patient |
| 2 | **play** | gerund | She *not said here* | netball |  |  |  |  | vn use-105.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent netball=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Babies' kneecaps are mostly soft cartilage.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:kneecap:x6:1
# text = Babies' kneecaps are mostly soft cartilage.
1	Babies	baby	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	'	's	PART	POS	_	1	case	_	_
3	kneecaps	kneecap	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	nsubj	_	_
4	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
5	mostly	mostly	ADV	RB	_	7	advmod	_	_
6	soft	soft	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	cartilage	cartilage	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Babies's kneecaps | soft cartilage |  |  |  | mostly *property* | tree rules |

<!-- 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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