---
title: otter — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «otter» in the school dictionary: An otter is a playful animal with smooth brown fur, short legs, webbed feet and a long tail that lives near rivers or the sea and swims very well. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# otter

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** otter, that, Sea otters, Otters, We, downcast · **What happens:** be, web, live, swim, dive, catch · **To what, where:** playful animal, rivers, river, fish, backs, stone · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«otter» in the school dictionary: its meaning for a pupil and its 7 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: [otter in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/otter.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
An otter is a playful animal with smooth brown fur, short legs, webbed feet and a long tail that lives near rivers or the sea and swims very well.

<!-- fold The tree, 29 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:otter:m1:1
# text = An otter is a playful animal with smooth brown fur, short legs, webbed feet and a long tail that lives near rivers or the sea and swims very well.
1	An	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	otter	otter	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	playful	playful	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	animal	animal	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	with	with	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
8	smooth	smooth	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
9	brown	brown	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
10	fur	fur	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
12	short	short	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	13	amod	_	_
13	legs	leg	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	10	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	16	punct	_	_
15	webbed	web	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	16	amod	_	_
16	feet	foot	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	10	conj	_	_
17	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	20	cc	_	_
18	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	20	det	_	_
19	long	long	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	20	amod	_	_
20	tail	tail	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	conj	_	_
21	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	22	nsubj	_	_
22	lives	live	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	parataxis	_	_
23	near	near	ADP	IN	_	24	case	_	_
24	rivers	river	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	22	obl	_	_
25	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	27	cc	_	_
26	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	27	det	_	_
27	sea	sea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	24	conj	_	_
28	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	29	cc	_	_
29	swims	swim	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	22	conj	_	_
30	very	very	ADV	RB	_	31	advmod	_	_
31	well	well	ADV	RB	Degree=Pos	29	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
32	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a otter | a playful animal |  |  |  | with smooth brown fur and short legs and webbed feet and a long tail | tree rules |
| 2 | **web** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **live** | present | that |  |  | rivers or the sea |  |  | vn exist-47.1-1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme near river=Location |
| 4 | **swim** | present | that *not said here* |  |  |  |  | well *property* | vn run-51.3.2-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

<!-- .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.

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The otter dived into the river to catch a fish.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:otter:x1:1
# text = The otter dived into the river to catch a fish.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	otter	otter	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	dived	dive	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	into	into	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	river	river	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	_
7	to	to	PART	TO	_	8	mark	_	_
8	catch	catch	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	advcl	_	_
9	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	fish	fish	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 | **dive** | past | the otter |  |  | the river |  |  | vn meander-47.7 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme into river=Location |
| 2 | **catch** | to-infinitive | the otter *not said here* | a fish |  |  |  |  | vn get-13.5.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent fish=Theme |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Sea otters sleep floating on their backs.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:otter:x2:1
# text = Sea otters sleep floating on their backs.
1	Sea	sea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	compound	_	_
2	otters	otter	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	sleep	sleep	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	floating	float	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	3	xcomp	_	_
5	on	on	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	their	their	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	7	nmod:poss	_	_
7	backs	back	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **sleep** | present | Sea otters |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **float** | gerund | Sea otters *not said here* |  |  | otters's backs |  |  | vn run-51.3.2-2 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme on back=Trajectory |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
An otter uses a stone to crack open shells.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:otter:x3:1
# text = An otter uses a stone to crack open shells.
1	An	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	otter	otter	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	uses	use	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	stone	stone	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	crack	crack	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	advcl	_	_
8	open	open	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	shells	shell	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | present | a otter | a stone |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent stone=Patient |
| 2 | **crack** | to-infinitive | a otter *not said here* | open shells |  |  |  |  | vn sound\_emission-43.2 «PP.location V NP»: agent=Location shell=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Baby otters are called pups or cubs.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:otter:x4:1
# text = Baby otters are called pups or cubs.
1	Baby	baby	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	compound	_	_
2	otters	otter	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj:pass	_	_
3	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux:pass	_	_
4	called	call	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
5	pups	pup	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	xcomp	_	_
6	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	cubs	cub	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **call** | present · passive |  | Baby otters |  |  |  |  | vn initiate\_communication-37.4.2-1 «NP V NP.recipient»: subject=Recipient |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Otters have thick, waterproof fur.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:otter:x5:1
# text = Otters have thick, waterproof fur.
1	Otters	otter	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	have	have	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	thick	thick	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
5	waterproof	waterproof	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	fur	fur	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 | **have** | present | Otters | thick waterproof fur |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent fur=Patient |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We saw an otter playing in the water.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:otter:x6:1
# text = We saw an otter playing in the water.
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	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	otter	otter	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	playing	play	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	4	acl	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	water	water	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **see** | past | We | a otter |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer otter=Stimulus |
| 2 | **play** | gerund | a otter *not said here* |  |  | the water |  |  | vn performance-26.7-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
‘Be not so downcast,’ replied the otter; ‘before noon to-morrow thou shalt behold thy wife.

<!-- fold The tree, 16 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:otter:x7:1
# text = ‘Be not so downcast,’ replied the otter; ‘before noon to-morrow thou shalt behold thy wife.
1	‘	'	PUNCT	``	_	5	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	cop	_	_
3	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	5	advmod	_	_
4	so	so	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
5	downcast	downcast	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	5	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	’	'	PUNCT	''	_	5	punct	_	_
8	replied	reply	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	otter	otter	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	;	;	PUNCT	:	_	20	punct	_	_
12	‘	'	PUNCT	``	_	20	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	before	before	ADP	IN	_	14	case	_	_
14	noon	noon	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	20	obl	_	_
15	to	to	ADP	IN	_	17	case	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	-	-	PUNCT	HYPH	_	15	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	morrow	morrow	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	nmod	_	_
18	thou	thou	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=2|PronType=Prs|Style=Arch	20	nsubj	_	_
19	shalt	shall	AUX	MD	Style=Arch|VerbForm=Fin	20	aux	_	_
20	behold	behold	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	8	conj	_	_
21	thy	thy	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs|Style=Arch	22	nmod:poss	_	_
22	wife	wife	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	20	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
23	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **is** | infinitive |  |  |  |  |  | downcast *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **reply** *speech: assert* | past | downcast | the otter |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1 «NP V NP.topic»: agent=Agent otter=Topic |
| 3 | **behold** | shall | thou | thy wife |  |  | noon |  | vn sight-30.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer wife=Stimulus |

<!-- 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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