---
title: layer — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «layer» in the school dictionary: A layer is one flat level of something lying on top of or under another, like a layer of a cake. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# layer

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** layer, hen, cake, wall, many cans, thin layer · **What happens:** be, lie, layer, lay, have, hold · **To what, where:** one flat level, top, thin covering, surface, layers, clothes

<!-- .vabout -->
«layer» in the school dictionary: its 4 meanings for a pupil and its 10 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: [layer in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/layer.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A layer is one flat level of something lying on top of or under another, like a layer of a cake.

<!-- fold The tree, 21 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:layer:m1:1
# text = A layer is one flat level of something lying on top of or under another, like a layer of a cake.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	layer	layer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
4	one	one	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	6	nummod	_	_
5	flat	flat	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	level	level	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	6	nmod	_	_
9	lying	lie	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	8	acl	_	_
10	on	on	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
11	top	top	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obl	_	_
12	of	of	ADP	IN	_	15	case	_	_
13	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	14	cc	_	_
14	under	under	ADP	IN	_	12	conj	_	_
15	another	another	DET	DT	PronType=Ind	11	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	19	punct	_	_
17	like	like	ADP	IN	_	19	case	_	_
18	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	19	det	_	_
19	layer	layer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obl	_	_
20	of	of	ADP	IN	_	22	case	_	_
21	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	22	det	_	_
22	cake	cake	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	19	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
23	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a layer | one flat level |  |  |  | of something | tree rules |
| 2 | **lie** | gerund |  |  |  | top of another |  | like a layer of a cake | vn assuming\_position-50 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Agent on top=Location |

<!-- .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 layer is a thin covering over a surface, like a layer of dust or paint.

<!-- fold The tree, 16 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:layer:m2:1
# text = A layer is a thin covering over a surface, like a layer of dust or paint.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	layer	layer	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	thin	thin	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	covering	covering	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	over	over	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	surface	surface	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
11	like	like	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
12	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	layer	layer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	conj	_	_
14	of	of	ADP	IN	_	15	case	_	_
15	dust	dust	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	nmod	_	_
16	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	17	cc	_	_
17	paint	paint	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	15	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a layer | a thin covering and a layer of dust or paint |  | a surface |  |  | tree rules |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To layer is to put things in layers, like layering clothes in cold weather.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:layer:m3:1
# text = To layer is to put things in layers, like layering clothes in cold weather.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	layer	layer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	advcl	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	put	put	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	things	thing	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obj	_	_
7	in	in	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	layers	layer	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
10	like	like	SCONJ	IN	_	11	mark	_	_
11	layering	layer	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	5	advcl	_	_
12	clothes	clothes	NOUN	NNS	Number=Ptan	11	obj	_	_
13	in	in	ADP	IN	_	15	case	_	_
14	cold	cold	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	15	amod	_	_
15	weather	weather	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present |  |  |  | layers |  | put *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **layer** | gerund |  | clothes |  | cold weather |  |  | tree rules |

## Meaning 4 {#m4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A layer is a hen that lays eggs.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:layer:m4:1
# text = A layer is a hen that lays eggs.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	layer	layer	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	hen	hen	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	7	nsubj	_	_
7	lays	lay	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	acl:relcl	_	_
8	eggs	egg	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a layer | a hen |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **lay** | present | a hen | eggs |  |  |  |  | vn create-26.4 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent egg=Result |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The cake has 3 layers.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:layer:x1:1
# text = The cake has 3 layers.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	cake	cake	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	3	3	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	5	nummod	_	_
5	layers	layer	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | the cake | 3 layers |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent layer=Patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Each layer of the box holds 12 eggs.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:layer:x2:1
# text = Each layer of the box holds 12 eggs.
1	Each	each	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	2	det	_	_
2	layer	layer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	of	of	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	box	box	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nmod	_	_
6	holds	hold	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	12	12	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	8	nummod	_	_
8	eggs	egg	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **hold** | present | each layer of the box | 12 eggs |  |  |  |  | vn keep-15.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent egg=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The wall has 20 layers of bricks.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:layer:x3:1
# text = The wall has 20 layers of bricks.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	wall	wall	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	20	20	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	5	nummod	_	_
5	layers	layer	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	bricks	brick	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | the wall | 20 layers of bricks |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent layer=Patient |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
How many cans are in 4 layers?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:layer:x4:1
# text = How many cans are in 4 layers?
1	How	how	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	2	advmod	_	_
2	many	many	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	cans	can	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	nsubj	_	_
4	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
5	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	4	4	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	7	nummod	_	_
7	layers	layer	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | many cans |  |  | 4 layers |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A thin layer of dust covered the old book.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:layer:x5:1
# text = A thin layer of dust covered the old book.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	thin	thin	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	layer	layer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
4	of	of	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	dust	dust	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nmod	_	_
6	covered	cover	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	old	old	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	book	book	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **cover** | past | a thin layer of dust | the old book |  |  |  |  | vn fill-9.8-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Theme book=Destination |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The Earth has three main layers: crust, mantle and core.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:layer:x6:1
# text = The Earth has three main layers: crust, mantle and core.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	Earth	Earth	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	three	three	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	6	nummod	_	_
5	main	main	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	layers	layer	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	8	punct	_	_
8	crust	crust	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	appos	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
10	mantle	mantle	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	conj	_	_
11	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	12	cc	_	_
12	core	core	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | the Earth | three main layers |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent layer=Patient |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Wear layers on a cold day so you can take one off.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:layer:x7:1
# text = Wear layers on a cold day so you can take one off.
1	Wear	wear	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	layers	layer	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obj	_	_
3	on	on	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	cold	cold	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	day	day	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	_
7	so	so	SCONJ	IN	_	10	mark	_	_
8	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	10	nsubj	_	_
9	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	10	aux	_	_
10	take	take	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	1	advcl	_	_
11	one	one	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	10	obj	_	_
12	off	off	ADP	RP	_	10	compound:prt	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **wear** | imperative | you *not said here* | layers |  |  | day |  | vn wipe\_manner-10.4.1-1 «NP V NP.source»: agent=Agent layer=Source |
| 2 | **take off** | can | you | one |  |  |  |  | vn remove-10.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent one=Theme |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The ozone layer protects us from the Sun's rays.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:layer:x8:1
# text = The ozone layer protects us from the Sun's rays.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	ozone	ozone	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	layer	layer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	protects	protect	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	us	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	4	obj	_	_
6	from	from	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	Sun	Sun	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	10	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	's	's	PART	POS	_	8	case	_	_
10	rays	ray	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **protect** | present | the ozone layer |  | us |  |  | from the Sun's rays | vn defend-72.3 «NP V NP PP.theme»: agent=Agent we=Beneficiary from ray=Theme |
| 2 | **ray** |  | the Sun |  |  |  |  |  | nom ray «phenomenon transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 9 {#x9}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Put a layer of jam between the two cakes.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:layer:x9:1
# text = Put a layer of jam between the two cakes.
1	Put	put	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	layer	layer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	of	of	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	jam	jam	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nmod	_	_
6	between	between	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	two	two	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	9	nummod	_	_
9	cakes	cake	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **put** | imperative | you *not said here* | a layer of jam between the two cakes |  |  |  |  | vn invest-13.5.4-1 «NP V PP»: agent=Agent layer=Goal |

## Example 10 {#x10}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Then the magpie put another layer of mud over the twigs.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:layer:x10:1
# text = Then the magpie put another layer of mud over the twigs.
1	Then	then	ADV	RB	PronType=Dem	4	advmod	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	magpie	magpie	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	put	put	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	another	another	DET	DT	PronType=Ind	6	det	_	_
6	layer	layer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	mud	mud	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	_
9	over	over	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	twigs	twig	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 | **put** | past | the magpie | another layer of mud |  | the twigs | then |  | vn put-9.1-2 «NP V NP PP.destination»: agent=Agent layer=Theme over twig=Destination |

<!-- 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 -->

<!-- pn -->
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