---
title: mastermind — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «mastermind» in the school dictionary: A very clever person who plans something difficult, especially the person who plans a crime or a big scheme. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# mastermind

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** clever person, person, Mastermind, detective, Badger, sister · **What happens:** plan, organise, be, show, catch, mastermind · **To what, where:** something, crime, famous TV quiz, mastermind, robbery, attack

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A very clever person who plans something difficult, especially the person who plans a crime or a big scheme.

<!-- fold The tree, 19 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:mastermind:m1:1
# text = A very clever person who plans something difficult, especially the person who plans a crime or a big scheme.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
2	very	very	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	_
3	clever	clever	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	person	person	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	who	who	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	6	nsubj	_	_
6	plans	plan	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	acl:relcl	_	_
7	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	6	obj	_	_
8	difficult	difficult	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
10	especially	especially	ADV	RB	_	12	advmod	_	_
11	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	person	person	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	appos	_	_
13	who	who	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	14	nsubj	_	_
14	plans	plan	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	12	acl:relcl	_	_
15	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	16	det	_	_
16	crime	crime	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	obj	_	_
17	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	20	cc	_	_
18	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	20	det	_	_
19	big	big	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	20	amod	_	_
20	scheme	scheme	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	16	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **plan** | present | a clever person | something |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent something=Topic |
| 2 | **plan** | present | the person | a crime or a big scheme |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent crime=Topic |

<!-- .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: verb — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To plan and organise something difficult and clever.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:mastermind:m2:1
# text = To plan and organise something difficult and clever.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	plan	plan	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	4	cc	_	_
4	organise	organise	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	2	conj	_	_
5	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	4	obj	_	_
6	difficult	difficult	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
7	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	clever	clever	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **plan** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **organise** | infinitive |  | something |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Mastermind is a famous TV quiz show with a black chair.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:mastermind:m3:1
# text = Mastermind is a famous TV quiz show with a black chair.
1	Mastermind	mastermind	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
4	famous	famous	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
5	TV	TV	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	compound	_	_
6	quiz	quiz	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	conj	_	_
7	show	show	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
8	with	with	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
9	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
10	black	black	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	11	amod	_	_
11	chair	chair	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Mastermind and a famous TV quiz *not said here* | a famous TV quiz |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **show** | present | Mastermind and a famous TV quiz |  |  |  |  | with a black chair | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The detective finally caught the mastermind behind the robbery.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:mastermind:x1:1
# text = The detective finally caught the mastermind behind the robbery.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	detective	detective	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	finally	finally	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
4	caught	catch	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	mastermind	mastermind	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	_
7	behind	behind	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	robbery	robbery	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **catch** | past | the detective | the mastermind |  | the robbery |  | finally *property* | vn get-13.5.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent mastermind=Theme |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Badger masterminded the attack on Toad Hall.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:mastermind:x2:1
# text = Badger masterminded the attack on Toad Hall.
1	Badger	Badger	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	masterminded	mastermind	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	attack	attack	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	on	on	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	Toad	Toad	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	7	compound	_	_
7	Hall	Hall	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	4	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mastermind** | past | Badger | the attack |  | Toad Hall |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
My sister masterminded a surprise party for Mum.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:mastermind:x3:1
# text = My sister masterminded a surprise party for Mum.
1	My	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	sister	sister	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	masterminded	mastermind	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	surprise	surprise	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	compound	_	_
6	party	party	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
7	for	for	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	Mum	mum	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mastermind** | past | My sister | a surprise party |  |  |  | for Mum | tree rules |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Who is the mastermind behind this clever trick?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:mastermind:x4:1
# text = Who is the mastermind behind this clever trick?
1	Who	who	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	4	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	mastermind	mastermind	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	behind	behind	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
6	this	this	DET	DT	Number=Sing|PronType=Dem	8	det	_	_
7	clever	clever	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	trick	trick	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present |  | the mastermind |  | this clever trick |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She is a maths mastermind.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:mastermind:x5:1
# text = She is a maths mastermind.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	5	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	maths	maths	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	compound	_	_
5	mastermind	mastermind	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

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

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The mastermind of the plan stayed hidden in the shadows.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:mastermind:x6:1
# text = The mastermind of the plan stayed hidden in the shadows.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	mastermind	mastermind	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	plan	plan	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nmod	_	_
6	stayed	stay	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	hidden	hide	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	6	xcomp	_	_
8	in	in	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	shadows	shadow	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **stay** | past | the mastermind of the plan |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **hide** | participle | the mastermind of the plan *not said here* |  |  | the shadows |  |  | vn concealment-16-1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Agent in shadow=Location |

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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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