---
title: overlord — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «overlord» in the school dictionary: A ruler who has power over other rulers or lords, especially in the Middle Ages. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# overlord

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** ruler, person, king, knight, you, local lords · **What happens:** have, control, use, be, promise, fight · **To what, where:** power, other rulers, others, overlord, dark overlord, game · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«overlord» in the school dictionary: its 2 meanings 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: [overlord in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/overlord.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A ruler who has power over other rulers or lords, especially in the Middle Ages.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:overlord:m1:1
# text = A ruler who has power over other rulers or lords, especially in the Middle Ages.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	ruler	ruler	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	who	who	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	4	nsubj	_	_
4	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	2	acl:relcl	_	_
5	power	power	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	_
6	over	over	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	other	other	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	rulers	ruler	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obl	_	_
9	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	10	cc	_	_
10	lords	lord	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	16	punct	_	_
12	especially	especially	ADV	RB	_	16	advmod	_	_
13	in	in	ADP	IN	_	16	case	_	_
14	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	16	det	_	_
15	Middle	Middle	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	16	flat	_	_
16	Ages	Age	PROPN	NNPS	Number=Plur	8	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | a ruler | power |  | other rulers or lords and the Middle Ages |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent power=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 person or group that controls others completely; often used jokingly.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:overlord:m2:1
# text = A person or group that controls others completely; often used jokingly.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	person	person	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	4	cc	_	_
4	group	group	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	conj	_	_
5	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	6	nsubj	_	_
6	controls	control	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	others	other	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obj	_	_
8	completely	completely	ADV	RB	_	6	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	;	;	PUNCT	:	_	6	punct	_	_
10	often	often	ADV	RB	_	11	advmod	_	_
11	used	use	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	6	advcl	_	_
12	jokingly	jokingly	ADV	RB	_	11	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **control** | present | a person or group | others |  |  |  | completely *property* | vn enforce-63 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent other=Theme |
| 2 | **use** | participle | a person or group *not said here* |  |  |  |  | jokingly, often *property* | vn eat-39.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

<!-- .note -->
The example in this meaning, parsed on its own:

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
"our new robot overlords".

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:overlord:m2e:1
# text = "our new robot overlords".
1	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	5	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	our	our	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	5	nmod:poss	_	_
3	new	new	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
4	robot	robot	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	compound	_	_
5	overlords	overlord	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	5	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .note -->
The frames reader finds no event or fact in this sentence.

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The king was overlord of all the barons in England.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:overlord:x1:1
# text = The king was overlord of all the barons in England.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	king	king	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
4	overlord	overlord	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
6	all	all	DET	PDT	PronType=Tot	8	det:predet	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	barons	baron	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nmod	_	_
9	in	in	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	England	England	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	8	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | past | the king | overlord |  |  |  | of all barons in England | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Each knight promised to fight for his overlord.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:overlord:x2:1
# text = Each knight promised to fight for his overlord.
1	Each	each	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	2	det	_	_
2	knight	knight	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	promised	promise	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	fight	fight	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	xcomp	_	_
6	for	for	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	8	nmod:poss	_	_
8	overlord	overlord	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **promise** *speech: promise* | past | each knight |  |  |  |  |  | vn promise-37.13 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **fight** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive | each knight *not said here* |  |  |  |  | for knight's overlord | vn battle-36.4-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In the game, you must defeat the dark overlord of the volcano.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:overlord:x3:1
# text = In the game, you must defeat the dark overlord of the volcano.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	game	game	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
5	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	7	nsubj	_	_
6	must	must	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	7	aux	_	_
7	defeat	defeat	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
9	dark	dark	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
10	overlord	overlord	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	_
11	of	of	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
12	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	volcano	volcano	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **defeat** | must | you | the dark overlord of the volcano |  | the game |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The local lords paid taxes to their overlord.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:overlord:x4:1
# text = The local lords paid taxes to their overlord.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	local	local	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	lords	lord	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	0	root	_	_
4	paid	pay	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	3	acl	_	_
5	taxes	tax	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	_
6	to	to	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	their	their	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	8	nmod:poss	_	_
8	overlord	overlord	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **pay** | participle | the local lords *not said here* | taxes |  |  |  | to taxes's overlord | vn pay-68-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent tax=Asset |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
"All hail the cat, overlord of the sofa!" laughed Mum.

<!-- fold The tree, 10 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:overlord:x5:1
# text = "All hail the cat, overlord of the sofa!" laughed Mum.
1	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	3	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	All	all	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	3	advmod	_	_
3	hail	hail	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	13	ccomp	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	cat	cat	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	7	punct	_	_
7	overlord	overlord	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	appos	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	sofa	sofa	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	!	!	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	3	punct	_	_
13	laughed	laugh	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
14	Mum	mum	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	13	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **hail** *in a quote* | present |  | the cat |  |  |  |  | vn judgment-33.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent cat=Theme |
| 2 | **laugh** | past |  | Mum |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The villagers feared the cruel overlord in the castle.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:overlord:x6:1
# text = The villagers feared the cruel overlord in the castle.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	villagers	villager	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	feared	fear	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	cruel	cruel	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	overlord	overlord	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
7	in	in	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	castle	castle	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **fear** | past | the villagers | the cruel overlord |  | the castle |  |  | vn admire-31.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer overlord=Stimulus |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
His new overlord would demand the service of one of his sons.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:overlord:x7:1
# text = His new overlord would demand the service of one of his sons.
1	His	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	3	nmod:poss	_	_
2	new	new	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	overlord	overlord	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
4	would	would	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	5	aux	_	_
5	demand	demand	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	service	service	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	one	one	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	7	nmod	_	_
10	of	of	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	12	nmod:poss	_	_
12	sons	son	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **demand** *speech: request* | would | His new overlord | the service of one of overlord's sons |  |  |  |  | vn require-103-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Theme service=Precondition |

<!-- 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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