---
title: sass — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «sass» in the school dictionary: Cheeky, rude talk, especially to a parent or teacher; back talk. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# sass

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** she, Dad, That, puppy, He, I · **What happens:** talk, talk back, get, not sass, say, be · **To what, where:** sass, mother, enough sass, lot, teacher, detention · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: informal, mainly US — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Cheeky, rude talk, especially to a parent or teacher; back talk.

<!-- fold The tree, 11 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:sass:m1:1
# text = Cheeky, rude talk, especially to a parent or teacher; back talk.
1	Cheeky	cheeky	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	4	punct	_	_
3	rude	rude	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	talk	talk	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	9	punct	_	_
6	especially	especially	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	_
7	to	to	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	parent	parent	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nmod	_	_
10	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	11	cc	_	_
11	teacher	teacher	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	;	;	PUNCT	:	_	14	punct	_	_
13	back	back	ADV	RB	_	14	advmod	_	_
14	talk	talk	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	4	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **talk** | infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn talk-37.5 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

<!-- .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, informal — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To talk back cheekily to someone.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:sass:m2:1
# text = To talk back cheekily to someone.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	talk	talk	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	back	back	ADV	RB	_	2	advmod	_	_
4	cheekily	cheekily	ADV	RB	_	2	advmod	_	_
5	to	to	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **talk back** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  | to someone; cheekily *property* | vn talk-37.5 «NP V PP.co-agent»: agent=Agent to someone=Co-Agent |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Bold, lively confidence and style: «she's got sass».

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:sass:m3:1
# text = Bold, lively confidence and style: «she's got sass».
1	Bold	bold	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	4	punct	_	_
3	lively	lively	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	confidence	confidence	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	style	style	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	11	punct	_	_
8	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	11	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	she	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	11	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	's	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	11	aux	_	_
11	got	get	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part	4	parataxis	_	_
12	sass	sass	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	11	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **get** *in a quote* | present · passive | she | sass |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer sass=Stimulus |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
«Don't sass your mother,» said Dad.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:sass:x1:1
# text = «Don't sass your mother,» said Dad.
1	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Do	do	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	4	advmod	_	_
4	sass	sass	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	9	ccomp	_	_
5	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	6	nmod:poss	_	_
6	mother	mother	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	4	punct	_	_
9	said	say	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
10	Dad	Dad	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	9	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **sass** *in a quote* | do-support |  | your mother |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **say** *speech: assert* | past | Dad |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
That's enough sass, young lady.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:sass:x2:1
# text = That's enough sass, young lady.
1	That	that	PRON	DT	Number=Sing|PronType=Dem	4	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	's	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
3	enough	enough	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	sass	sass	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	7	punct	_	_
6	young	young	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	lady	lady	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | That | enough sass and young lady |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The puppy has a lot of sass for such a tiny dog.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:sass:x3:1
# text = The puppy has a lot of sass for such a tiny dog.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	puppy	puppy	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	has	have	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	lot	lot	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	sass	sass	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	_
8	for	for	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
9	such	such	DET	PDT	PronType=Ind	12	det:predet	_	_
10	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
11	tiny	tiny	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	12	amod	_	_
12	dog	dog	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | the puppy | a lot of sass for such tiny dog |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent lot=Patient |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He sassed the teacher and got a detention.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:sass:x4:1
# text = He sassed the teacher and got a detention.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	sassed	sass	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	teacher	teacher	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	got	get	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	2	conj	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	detention	detention	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **sass** | past | He | the teacher |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **get** | past | He *not said here* | a detention |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer detention=Stimulus |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The singer performed with style and sass.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:sass:x5:1
# text = The singer performed with style and sass.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	singer	singer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	performed	perform	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	2	acl	_	_
4	with	with	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	style	style	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	_
6	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	sass	sass	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **perform** | participle |  | the singer *not said here* |  |  |  | with style and sass | vn performance-26.7 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
I didn't mean to give you sass.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:sass:x6:1
# text = I didn't mean to give you sass.
1	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
2	did	do	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	4	advmod	_	_
4	mean	mean	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	give	give	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	xcomp	_	_
7	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
8	sass	sass	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **mean** | past · do-support | I |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **give** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive | I *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **sass** | present | you |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

<!-- 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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