---
title: silk — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «silk» in the school dictionary: A soft, smooth, shiny cloth made from threads spun by silkworms. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# silk

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** senior barrister, Silkworms, Spider silk, Traders, scarf, Dad · **What happens:** make, spin, take, mean, become, be · **To what, where:** soft smooth shiny cloth, threads, thread, silk, one, dress · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A soft, smooth, shiny cloth made from threads spun by silkworms.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:silk:m1:1
# text = A soft, smooth, shiny cloth made from threads spun by silkworms.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
2	soft	soft	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	2	punct	_	_
4	smooth	smooth	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	4	punct	_	_
6	shiny	shiny	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	cloth	cloth	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
8	made	make	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	7	acl	_	_
9	from	from	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	threads	thread	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	obl	_	_
11	spun	spin	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	10	acl	_	_
12	by	by	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
13	silkworms	silkworm	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	11	obl:agent	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | participle |  | a soft smooth shiny cloth *not said here* |  | threads |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V PP»: agent=Asset from thread=Material |
| 2 | **spin** | participle |  | threads *not said here* |  |  |  |  | vn roll-51.3.1 «NP.theme 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.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The thread itself, made by silkworms or spiders.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:silk:m2:1
# text = The thread itself, made by silkworms or spiders.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	thread	thread	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	itself	itself	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Emp|Reflex=Yes	2	nmod:unmarked	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	5	punct	_	_
5	made	make	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	2	acl	_	_
6	by	by	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	silkworms	silkworm	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obl	_	_
8	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
9	spiders	spider	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | participle |  | the thread  thread *not said here* |  |  |  | by silkworms or spiders | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A senior barrister; to «take silk» means to become one.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:silk:m3:1
# text = A senior barrister; to «take silk» means to become one.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	senior	senior	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	barrister	barrister	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	;	;	PUNCT	:	_	7	punct	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
6	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	7	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	take	take	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	3	parataxis	_	_
8	silk	silk	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	7	punct	_	_
10	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
11	to	to	PART	TO	_	12	mark	_	_
12	become	become	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	10	xcomp	_	_
13	one	one	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	12	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	10	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **take** *in a quote* | to-infinitive |  | silk |  |  |  |  | vn bring-11.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent silk=Theme |
| 2 | **mean** | present | a senior barrister |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 3 | **become** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive | a senior barrister *not said here* | one |  |  |  |  | vn become-109.1-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Patient one=Result |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Her dress is made of silk.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:silk:x1:1
# text = Her dress is made of silk.
1	Her	her	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	dress	dress	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj:pass	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux:pass	_	_
4	made	make	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	silk	silk	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | present · passive |  | Her dress |  |  |  | of silk | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: subject=Product |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Silkworms spin silk to make their cocoons.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:silk:x2:1
# text = Silkworms spin silk to make their cocoons.
1	Silkworms	silkworm	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	spin	spin	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	silk	silk	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	make	make	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	advcl	_	_
6	their	their	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	7	nmod:poss	_	_
7	cocoons	cocoon	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **spin** | present | Silkworms | silk |  |  |  |  | vn roll-51.3.1 «NP V NP.theme»: agent=Agent silk=Theme |
| 2 | **make** | to-infinitive | Silkworms *not said here* | Silkworms's cocoons |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset cocoon=Product |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Spider silk is very strong for its weight.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:silk:x3:1
# text = Spider silk is very strong for its weight.
1	Spider	spider	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	compound	_	_
2	silk	silk	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	very	very	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
5	strong	strong	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
6	for	for	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	its	its	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	8	nmod:poss	_	_
8	weight	weight	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | Spider silk |  |  |  |  | for silk's weight; strong *property* | tree rules |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Traders carried silk along the Silk Road.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:silk:x4:1
# text = Traders carried silk along the Silk Road.
1	Traders	trader	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	carried	carry	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	silk	silk	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
4	along	along	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	Silk	Silk	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	7	compound	_	_
7	Road	Road	PROPN	NNP	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 | **carry** | past | Traders | silk |  |  |  | along the Silk Road | vn carry-11.4 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent silk=Theme |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The scarf felt smooth as silk.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:silk:x5:1
# text = The scarf felt smooth as silk.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	scarf	scarf	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	felt	feel	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	smooth	smooth	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	xcomp	_	_
5	as	as	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	silk	silk	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **feel** | past | the scarf |  |  |  |  | as silk; smooth *property* | vn conjecture-29.5-2 «NP V S»: agent=Agent as silk=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Dad wore a silk tie to the wedding.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:silk:x6:1
# text = Dad wore a silk tie to the wedding.
1	Dad	dad	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	wore	wear	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	silk	silk	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	compound	_	_
5	tie	tie	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
6	to	to	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	wedding	wedding	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **wear** | past | Dad | a silk tie |  |  |  | to the wedding | vn wipe\_manner-10.4.1-1 «NP V NP.source»: agent=Agent tie=Source |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She wore a silk dress, golden bracelets, and large amber beads.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:silk:x7:1
# text = She wore a silk dress, golden bracelets, and large amber beads.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	wore	wear	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	silk	silk	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	compound	_	_
5	dress	dress	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	8	punct	_	_
7	golden	golden	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	bracelets	bracelet	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
10	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	13	cc	_	_
11	large	large	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	13	amod	_	_
12	amber	amber	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	compound	_	_
13	beads	bead	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **wear** | past | She | a silk dress and golden bracelets |  |  |  | large amber beads *obl* | vn wipe\_manner-10.4.1-1 «NP V NP.theme»: agent=Agent dress=Theme |

<!-- 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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