---
title: protect — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «protect» in the school dictionary: To keep someone or something safe from harm, danger or damage. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# protect

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** helmet, you, Sunscreen, mother bird, shell, Big brothers · **What happens:** keep, guard, not lose, take, spoil, not allow · **To what, where:** someone, something, it, rights, certain things, head

<!-- .vabout -->
«protect» in the school dictionary: its 3 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: [protect in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/protect.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To keep someone or something safe from harm, danger or damage.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:protect:m1:1
# text = To keep someone or something safe from harm, danger or damage.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	keep	keep	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	_
4	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
5	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	3	conj	_	_
6	safe	safe	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
7	from	from	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	harm	harm	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
10	danger	danger	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	conj	_	_
11	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	12	cc	_	_
12	damage	damage	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **keep** | to-infinitive |  | someone |  |  |  |  | vn keep-15.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent someone=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.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To guard something so that it is not lost, taken or spoiled.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:protect:m2:1
# text = To guard something so that it is not lost, taken or spoiled.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	guard	guard	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	_
4	so	so	SCONJ	IN	ExtPos=SCONJ	9	mark	_	_
5	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	4	fixed	_	_
6	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	9	nsubj:pass	_	_
7	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	aux:pass	_	_
8	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	9	advmod	_	_
9	lost	lose	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	2	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
11	taken	take	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	9	conj	_	_
12	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	13	cc	_	_
13	spoiled	spoil	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	11	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **guard** | to-infinitive |  | something |  |  |  |  | vn defend-72.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent something=Beneficiary |
| 2 | **not** **lose** | present · passive |  | it |  |  |  |  | vn succeed-74-3-1 «NP V NP»: subject=Eventuality |
| 3 | **take** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn bring-11.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |
| 4 | **spoil** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn entity\_specific\_cos-45.5 «NP.patient V»: agent=Patient |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Of a law or rule: to keep people's rights or a place safe by not allowing certain things.

<!-- fold The tree, 19 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:protect:m3:1
# text = Of a law or rule: to keep people's rights or a place safe by not allowing certain things.
1	Of	of	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	law	law	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
4	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
5	rule	rule	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	8	punct	_	_
7	to	to	PART	TO	_	8	mark	_	_
8	keep	keep	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	conj	_	_
9	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	11	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	's	's	PART	POS	_	9	case	_	_
11	rights	right	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	obj	_	_
12	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	14	cc	_	_
13	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	14	det	_	_
14	place	place	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	conj	_	_
15	safe	safe	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	xcomp	_	_
16	by	by	SCONJ	IN	_	18	mark	_	_
17	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	18	advmod	_	_
18	allowing	allow	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	8	advcl	_	_
19	certain	certain	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	20	amod	_	_
20	things	thing	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	18	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **keep** | to-infinitive |  | people's rights or a place |  |  |  | safe *property* | vn keep-15.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent right=Theme |
| 2 | **not** **allow** | gerund |  | certain things |  |  |  |  | vn allow-64.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent thing=Beneficiary |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A helmet protects your head if you fall off your bike.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:protect:x1:1
# text = A helmet protects your head if you fall off your bike.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	helmet	helmet	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	protects	protect	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	5	nmod:poss	_	_
5	head	head	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	if	if	SCONJ	IN	_	8	mark	_	_
7	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
8	fall	fall	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	advcl	_	_
9	off	off	ADP	RP	_	8	compound:prt	_	_
10	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	11	nmod:poss	_	_
11	bike	bike	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **protect** | present | a helmet | your head |  |  |  |  | vn defend-72.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent head=Beneficiary |
| 2 | **fall off** *a condition, not said to happen* | present | you | your bike |  |  |  |  | vn calibratable\_cos-45.6.1-1 «NP.attribute V»: agent=Attribute |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Sunscreen protects your skin from the sun.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:protect:x2:1
# text = Sunscreen protects your skin from the sun.
1	Sunscreen	sunscreen	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	protects	protect	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	4	nmod:poss	_	_
4	skin	skin	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	from	from	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	sun.	sun.	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **protect** | present | Sunscreen | your skin |  |  |  | from the sun. | vn defend-72.3 «NP V NP PP.theme»: agent=Agent skin=Beneficiary from sun.=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The mother bird protects her chicks from the cat.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:protect:x3:1
# text = The mother bird protects her chicks from the cat.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	mother	mother	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	bird	bird	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	protects	protect	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	her	her	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	6	nmod:poss	_	_
6	chicks	chick	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	_
7	from	from	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	cat	cat	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **protect** | present | the mother bird |  | bird's chicks |  |  | from the cat | vn defend-72.3 «NP V NP PP.theme»: agent=Agent chick=Beneficiary from cat=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A turtle's shell protects its soft body.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:protect:x4:1
# text = A turtle's shell protects its soft body.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	turtle	turtle	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	's	's	PART	POS	_	2	case	_	_
4	shell	shell	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
5	protects	protect	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	its	its	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	8	nmod:poss	_	_
7	soft	soft	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	body	body	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **protect** | present | a turtle's shell | shell's soft body |  |  |  |  | vn defend-72.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent body=Beneficiary |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Wear goggles to protect your eyes in the science lab.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:protect:x5:1
# text = Wear goggles to protect your eyes in the science lab.
1	Wear	wear	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	goggles	goggle	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obj	_	_
3	to	to	PART	TO	_	4	mark	_	_
4	protect	protect	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	1	advcl	_	_
5	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	6	nmod:poss	_	_
6	eyes	eye	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	_
7	in	in	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
9	science	science	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	compound	_	_
10	lab	lab	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **wear** | imperative | you *not said here* | goggles |  |  |  |  | vn wipe\_manner-10.4.1-1 «NP V NP.source»: agent=Agent goggle=Source |
| 2 | **protect** | to-infinitive | you *not said here* | your eyes |  | the science lab |  |  | vn defend-72.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent eye=Beneficiary |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Big brothers sometimes protect their little sisters at the playground.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:protect:x6:1
# text = Big brothers sometimes protect their little sisters at the playground.
1	Big	big	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	brothers	brother	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj	_	_
3	sometimes	sometimes	ADV	RB	PronType=Ind	4	advmod	_	_
4	protect	protect	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	their	their	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	7	nmod:poss	_	_
6	little	little	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	sisters	sister	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	_
8	at	at	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	playground	playground	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	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 | Big brothers |  | brothers's little sisters | the playground |  | sometimes *property* | vn defend-72.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent sister=Beneficiary |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The law protects wild birds, so you must not take their eggs.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:protect:x7:1
# text = The law protects wild birds, so you must not take their eggs.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	law	law	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	protects	protect	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	wild	wild	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	birds	bird	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
7	so	so	ADV	RB	_	11	advmod	_	_
8	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	11	nsubj	_	_
9	must	must	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	11	aux	_	_
10	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	11	advmod	_	_
11	take	take	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	conj	_	_
12	their	their	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	13	nmod:poss	_	_
13	eggs	egg	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	11	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **protect** | present | the law |  | wild birds |  |  |  | vn defend-72.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent bird=Beneficiary |
| 2 | **not** **take** | must | you | birds's eggs |  |  |  |  | vn bring-11.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent egg=Theme |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Gloves protect your hands from the cold.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:protect:x8:1
# text = Gloves protect your hands from the cold.
1	Gloves	glove	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	protect	protect	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	4	nmod:poss	_	_
4	hands	hand	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
5	from	from	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	cold	cold	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **protect** | present | Gloves | your hands |  |  |  | from the cold | vn defend-72.3 «NP V NP PP.theme»: agent=Agent hand=Beneficiary from cold=Theme |

## Example 9 {#x9}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Put the password on to protect your tablet.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:protect:x9:1
# text = Put the password on to protect your tablet.
1	Put	put	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	password	password	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	on	on	ADP	RP	_	1	compound:prt	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	protect	protect	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	1	advcl	_	_
7	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	8	nmod:poss	_	_
8	tablet	tablet	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **put on** | imperative | you *not said here* | the password |  |  |  |  | vn invest-13.5.4-1 «NP V PP»: agent=Agent password=Goal |
| 2 | **protect** | to-infinitive | you *not said here* | your tablet |  |  |  |  | vn defend-72.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent tablet=Beneficiary |

## Example 10 {#x10}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Besides, Dorothy will need someone to protect her.”

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:protect:x10:1
# text = Besides, Dorothy will need someone to protect her.”
1	Besides	besides	INTJ	UH	_	5	discourse	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	1	punct	_	_
3	Dorothy	Dorothy	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
4	will	will	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	5	aux	_	_
5	need	need	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
6	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	5	obj	_	_
7	to	to	PART	TO	_	8	mark	_	_
8	protect	protect	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	acl	_	_
9	her	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	”	"	PUNCT	''	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **need** | future | Dorothy | someone |  |  |  |  | vn want-32.1-1-1 «NP V NP ADV»: agent=Pivot someone=Theme |
| 2 | **protect** | to-infinitive | Dorothy *not said here* | someone *not said here* | Dorothy |  |  |  | vn defend-72.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent she=Beneficiary |

<!-- 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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