---
title: signification — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «signification» in the school dictionary: Signification is the meaning of a word, sign or symbol. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# signification

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Signification, act, scholar, colour, wise man, Words · **What happens:** be, show, signall, explain, signify, have · **To what, where:** meaning, act, something, signification, old word, own signification

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Signification is the meaning of a word, sign or symbol.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:signification:m1:1
# text = Signification is the meaning of a word, sign or symbol.
1	Signification	signification	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	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	meaning	meaning	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	word	word	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	9	punct	_	_
9	sign	sign	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	conj	_	_
10	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	11	cc	_	_
11	symbol	symbol	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Signification | the meaning |  |  |  | of a word and sign or symbol | tree rules |

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Signification is the act of showing or signalling something.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:signification:m2:1
# text = Signification is the act of showing or signalling something.
1	Signification	signification	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	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	act	act	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	of	of	SCONJ	IN	_	6	mark	_	_
6	showing	show	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	4	acl	_	_
7	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	signalling	signall	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	6	conj	_	_
9	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Signification | the act |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **show** | gerund | the act *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **signall** | gerund | the act *not said here* | something |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The scholar explained the signification of the old word.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:signification:x1:1
# text = The scholar explained the signification of the old word.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	scholar	scholar	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	explained	explain	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	signification	signification	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	old	old	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	word	word	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **explain** *speech: assert* | past | the scholar | the signification of the old word |  |  |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent signification=Topic |
| 2 | **signify** |  |  | the old word |  |  |  |  | nom signification «communication transitive»: of=patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Each colour in the flag has its own signification.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:signification:x2:1
# text = Each colour in the flag has its own signification.
1	Each	each	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	2	det	_	_
2	colour	colour	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	in	in	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	flag	flag	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nmod	_	_
6	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	its	its	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	9	nmod:poss	_	_
8	own	own	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	signification	signification	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | each colour in the flag | colour's own signification |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent signification=Patient |
| 2 | **signify** |  | colour |  |  |  |  |  | nom signification «communication transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In the old book, the signification of the dream was explained by a wise man.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:signification:x3:1
# text = In the old book, the signification of the dream was explained by a wise man.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
3	old	old	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	book	book	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	4	punct	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	signification	signification	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	nsubj:pass	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	dream	dream	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	_
11	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	12	aux:pass	_	_
12	explained	explain	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
13	by	by	ADP	IN	_	16	case	_	_
14	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	16	det	_	_
15	wise	wise	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	16	amod	_	_
16	man	man	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	12	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **explain** *speech: assert* | past · passive | a wise man | the signification of the dream |  | the old book |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent subject=Topic |
| 2 | **signify** |  |  | the dream |  |  |  |  | nom signification «communication transitive»: of=patient |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Words can change their signification over hundreds of years.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:signification:x4:1
# text = Words can change their signification over hundreds of years.
1	Words	word	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
2	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	_
3	change	change	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
4	their	their	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	5	nmod:poss	_	_
5	signification	signification	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	over	over	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	hundreds	hundred	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obl	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	years	year	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **change** | can | Words | Words's signification |  | hundreds of years |  |  | vn dress-41.1.1-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent signification=Patient |
| 2 | **signify** |  | Words *= word* |  |  |  |  |  | nom signification «communication transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The priest explained the signification of the candle at Easter.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:signification:x5:1
# text = The priest explained the signification of the candle at Easter.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	priest	priest	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	explained	explain	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	signification	signification	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	candle	candle	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	_
9	at	at	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	Easter	Easter	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **explain** *speech: assert* | past | the priest | the signification of the candle |  | Easter |  |  | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent signification=Topic |
| 2 | **signify** |  |  | the candle |  |  |  |  | nom signification «communication transitive»: of=patient |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He did not understand the full signification of the sign.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:signification:x6:1
# text = He did not understand the full signification of the sign.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
2	did	do	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
3	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	4	advmod	_	_
4	understand	understand	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	full	full	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	signification	signification	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	sign	sign	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **understand** | past · do-support | He | the full signification of the sign |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1-1 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: agent=Experiencer signification=Stimulus |
| 2 | **signify** |  |  | the sign |  |  |  |  | nom signification «communication transitive»: of=patient |

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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.

<!-- /div -->

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