---
title: limp — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «limp» in the school dictionary: To limp is to walk unevenly because one leg or foot is hurt or stiff. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# limp

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** limp, limp handshake, Tom, old dog, lettuce, I · **What happens:** limp, be, hurt, mean, twist, walk · **To what, where:** one leg, uneven way, pitch, ankle, lettuce, fridge

<!-- .vabout -->
«limp» in the school dictionary: its 4 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: [limp in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/limp.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To limp is to walk unevenly because one leg or foot is hurt or stiff.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:limp:m1:1
# text = To limp is to walk unevenly because one leg or foot is hurt or stiff.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	limp	limp	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	csubj	_	_
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	walk	walk	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
6	unevenly	unevenly	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
7	because	because	SCONJ	IN	_	13	mark	_	_
8	one	one	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	9	nummod	_	_
9	leg	leg	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	nsubj:pass	_	_
10	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	11	cc	_	_
11	foot	foot	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	conj	_	_
12	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	13	aux:pass	_	_
13	hurt	hurt	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	5	advcl	_	_
14	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	15	cc	_	_
15	stiff	stiff	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	13	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **limp** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn run-51.3.2 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 2 | **is** | present |  |  |  |  |  | unevenly, walk *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **hurt** | present · passive |  | one leg or foot |  |  |  |  | vn hurt-40.8.3-2 «NP V NP»: subject=Patient |

<!-- .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 limp is that uneven way of walking.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:limp:m2:1
# text = A limp is that uneven way of walking.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	limp	limp	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
4	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	6	mark	_	_
5	uneven	uneven	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	walking	walking	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a limp | uneven way |  |  |  | of walking | tree rules |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Limp means soft and floppy, not firm or stiff, like a wet lettuce leaf.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:limp:m3:1
# text = Limp means soft and floppy, not firm or stiff, like a wet lettuce leaf.
1	Limp	limp	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	soft	soft	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	xcomp	_	_
4	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
5	floppy	floppy	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	8	punct	_	_
7	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	8	advmod	_	_
8	firm	firm	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	parataxis	_	_
9	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	10	cc	_	_
10	stiff	stiff	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	16	punct	_	_
12	like	like	ADP	IN	_	16	case	_	_
13	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	16	det	_	_
14	wet	wet	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	16	amod	_	_
15	lettuce	lettuce	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	16	compound	_	_
16	leaf	leaf	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | Limp |  |  |  |  | soft *property* | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent |

## Meaning 4 {#m4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A limp handshake or effort is weak, without energy.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:limp:m4:1
# text = A limp handshake or effort is weak, without energy.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	limp	limp	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	handshake	handshake	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
4	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
5	effort	effort	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	conj	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
7	weak	weak	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
9	without	without	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	energy	energy	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | a limp handshake or effort |  |  |  |  | weak *property* | tree rules |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Tom limped off the pitch after he twisted his ankle.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:limp:x1:1
# text = Tom limped off the pitch after he twisted his ankle.
1	Tom	Tom	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	limped	limp	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	off	off	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	pitch	pitch	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	_
6	after	after	SCONJ	IN	_	8	mark	_	_
7	he	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
8	twisted	twist	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	2	advcl	_	_
9	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	10	nmod:poss	_	_
10	ankle	ankle	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **limp** | past | Tom |  |  | the pitch |  |  | vn run-51.3.2 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme off pitch=Trajectory |
| 2 | **twist** | past | Tom | Tom's ankle |  |  |  |  | vn roll-51.3.1 «NP V NP.theme»: agent=Agent ankle=Theme |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The old dog walks with a limp.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:limp:x2:1
# text = The old dog walks with a limp.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	old	old	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	dog	dog	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	walks	walk	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	with	with	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	limp	limp	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **walk** | present | the old dog |  |  |  |  | with a limp | vn run-51.3.2-2-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
My lettuce went limp because I forgot to put it in the fridge.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:limp:x3:1
# text = My lettuce went limp because I forgot to put it in the fridge.
1	My	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	lettuce	lettuce	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	went	go	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	limp	limp	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	xcomp	_	_
5	because	because	SCONJ	IN	_	7	mark	_	_
6	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	7	nsubj	_	_
7	forgot	forget	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	advcl	_	_
8	to	to	PART	TO	_	9	mark	_	_
9	put	put	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	7	xcomp	_	_
10	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	9	obj	_	_
11	in	in	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
12	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	fridge	fridge	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **go** | past | My lettuce |  |  |  |  | limp *property* | vn disappearance-48.2-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 2 | **forget** | past | I |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **not** **put** | to-infinitive | I *not said here* | lettuce |  | the fridge |  |  | vn put-9.1-2 «NP V NP PP.destination»: agent=Agent it=Theme in fridge=Destination |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The flowers looked limp, so we gave them water.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:limp:x4:1
# text = The flowers looked limp, so we gave them water.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	flowers	flower	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	looked	look	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	limp	limp	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	8	punct	_	_
6	so	so	ADV	RB	_	8	advmod	_	_
7	we	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
8	gave	give	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	conj	_	_
9	them	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	iobj	_	_
10	water	water	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **look** | past | the flowers |  |  |  |  | limp *property* | vn stimulus\_subject-30.4 «NP V ADJ»: agent=Stimulus |
| 2 | **give** | past | we | water | flowers *= flower* |  |  |  | vn give-13.1-1 «NP V NP-Dative NP»: agent=Agent they=Recipient water=Theme |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The baby went limp and fell asleep in my arms.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:limp:x5:1
# text = The baby went limp and fell asleep in my arms.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	baby	baby	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	went	go	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	limp	limp	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	xcomp	_	_
5	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	fell	fall	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	conj	_	_
7	asleep	asleep	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	xcomp	_	_
8	in	in	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	my	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	10	nmod:poss	_	_
10	arms	arm	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **go** | past | the baby |  |  |  |  | limp *property* | vn disappearance-48.2-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 2 | **fall** | past | the baby *not said here* |  |  | my arms |  | asleep *property* | vn occur-48.3 «NP V PP»: agent=Theme in arm=Location |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The injured fox limped into the bushes.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:limp:x6:1
# text = The injured fox limped into the bushes.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	injured	injured	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	fox	fox	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	limped	limp	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	into	into	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	bushes	bush	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **limp** | past | the injured fox |  |  | the bushes |  |  | vn run-51.3.2 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme into bush=Destination |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He gave me a limp handshake.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:limp:x7:1
# text = He gave me a limp handshake.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	gave	give	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	me	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	iobj	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	limp	limp	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	handshake	handshake	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **give** | past | He | a limp handshake | me |  |  |  | vn give-13.1-1 «NP V NP-Dative NP»: agent=Agent i=Recipient handshake=Theme |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The broken car limped home slowly.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:limp:x8:1
# text = The broken car limped home slowly.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	broken	break	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	3	amod	_	_
3	car	car	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	limped	limp	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	home	home	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
6	slowly	slowly	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **break** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn hurt-40.8.3-1-1 «NP V»: agent=Patient |
| 2 | **limp** | past | the broken car |  |  |  |  | home, slowly *property* | vn run-51.3.2 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 9 {#x9}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He had a nasty fall, and limped away as quickly as he could, howling dismally.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:limp:x9:1
# text = He had a nasty fall, and limped away as quickly as he could, howling dismally.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	had	have	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	nasty	nasty	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	fall	fall	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	8	punct	_	_
7	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	limped	limp	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	2	conj	_	_
9	away	away	ADV	RB	_	8	advmod	_	_
10	as	as	ADV	RB	_	11	advmod	_	_
11	quickly	quickly	ADV	RB	_	8	advmod	_	_
12	as	as	SCONJ	IN	_	14	mark	_	_
13	he	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	14	nsubj	_	_
14	could	could	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	11	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	16	punct	_	_
16	howling	howl	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	8	advcl	_	_
17	dismally	dismally	ADV	RB	_	16	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | past | He | a nasty fall |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent fall=Patient |
| 2 | **limp away** | past | He *not said here* |  |  |  |  | away, quickly *property* | vn run-51.3.2 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 3 | **howl** | gerund | He *not said here* |  |  |  |  | dismally *property* | vn animal\_sounds-38 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

<!-- 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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