---
title: spark — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «spark» in the school dictionary: A spark is a tiny bright bit of fire or burning material that flies from a fire or when hard things hit. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# spark

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** spark, material, hard things, electricity, something, hope · **What happens:** be, burn, fly, hit, jump, spark · **To what, where:** tiny bright bit, material, fire, quick flash, gap, something

<!-- .vabout -->
«spark» in the school dictionary: its 4 meanings for a pupil and its 9 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: [spark in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/spark.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A spark is a tiny bright bit of fire or burning material that flies from a fire or when hard things hit.

<!-- fold The tree, 22 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:spark:m1:1
# text = A spark is a tiny bright bit of fire or burning material that flies from a fire or when hard things hit.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	spark	spark	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
5	tiny	tiny	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
6	bright	bright	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	bit	bit	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	fire	fire	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	_
10	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	11	cc	_	_
11	burning	burn	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	7	conj	_	_
12	material	material	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obj	_	_
13	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	14	nsubj	_	_
14	flies	fly	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	12	acl:relcl	_	_
15	from	from	ADP	IN	_	17	case	_	_
16	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	17	det	_	_
17	fire	fire	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	obl	_	_
18	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	22	cc	_	_
19	when	when	SCONJ	WRB	_	22	mark	_	_
20	hard	hard	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	21	amod	_	_
21	things	thing	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	22	nsubj	_	_
22	hit	hit	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	17	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
23	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a spark | a tiny bright bit |  |  |  | of fire | tree rules |
| 2 | **burn** | gerund | a spark *not said here* | material |  |  |  |  | vn light\_emission-43.1 «NP V NP.theme»: agent=Agent material=Theme |
| 3 | **fly** | present | material |  |  | a fire |  |  | vn run-51.3.2-2-1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme from fire=Trajectory |
| 4 | **hit** | present | hard things |  |  |  |  |  | vn contiguous\_location-47.8-1 «NP 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 -->
A spark is a quick flash of electricity jumping across a gap.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:spark:m2:1
# text = A spark is a quick flash of electricity jumping across a gap.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	spark	spark	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	quick	quick	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	flash	flash	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	electricity	electricity	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	_
9	jumping	jump	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	8	acl	_	_
10	across	across	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	gap	gap	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a spark | a quick flash |  |  |  | of electricity | tree rules |
| 2 | **jump** | gerund | electricity *not said here* |  |  | a gap |  |  | vn run-51.3.2-2-1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme across gap=Trajectory |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To spark something is to start it: spark an idea, spark a fight.

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:spark:m3:1
# text = To spark something is to start it: spark an idea, spark a fight.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	spark	spark	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	advcl	_	_
3	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	start	start	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	9	punct	_	_
9	spark	spark	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	6	conj	_	_
10	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	idea	idea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
13	spark	spark	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	9	conj	_	_
14	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	15	det	_	_
15	fight	fight	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **spark** | to-infinitive |  | something |  |  |  |  | vn engender-27.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Precondition something=Patient |
| 2 | **is** | present |  |  |  |  |  | start *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **spark** | infinitive |  | a idea |  |  |  |  | vn engender-27.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Precondition idea=Patient |
| 4 | **spark** | infinitive |  | a fight |  |  |  |  | vn engender-27.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Precondition fight=Patient |

## Meaning 4 {#m4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A spark of something is a small amount of it: a spark of hope.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:spark:m4:1
# text = A spark of something is a small amount of it: a spark of hope.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	spark	spark	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nsubj	_	_
3	of	of	ADP	IN	_	4	case	_	_
4	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	nmod	_	_
5	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	cop	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
7	small	small	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	amount	amount	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
9	of	of	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	13	punct	_	_
12	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	spark	spark	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	parataxis	_	_
14	of	of	ADP	IN	_	15	case	_	_
15	hope	hope	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a spark of something | a small amount |  |  |  | of amount | tree rules |
| 2 | **spark** |  | something |  |  |  |  |  | nom spark «event intransitive»: of=agent |
| 3 | **spark** |  | hope |  |  |  |  |  | nom spark «event intransitive»: of=agent |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Sparks flew from the campfire.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:spark:x1:1
# text = Sparks flew from the campfire.
1	Sparks	spark	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	flew	fly	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	from	from	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	campfire	campfire	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **fly** | past | Sparks |  |  | the campfire |  |  | vn run-51.3.2-2-1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme from campfire=Trajectory |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Rubbing your feet on the carpet can make a tiny spark.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:spark:x2:1
# text = Rubbing your feet on the carpet can make a tiny spark.
1	Rubbing	rub	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	8	csubj	_	_
2	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	3	nmod:poss	_	_
3	feet	foot	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obj	_	_
4	on	on	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	carpet	carpet	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	_
7	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	8	aux	_	_
8	make	make	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
9	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
10	tiny	tiny	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	11	amod	_	_
11	spark	spark	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **rub** | gerund |  | your feet |  | the carpet |  |  | vn spray-9.7-1 «NP V NP PP.destination»: agent=Agent foot=Theme on carpet=Destination |
| 2 | **make** | can | Rubbing | a tiny spark |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset spark=Product |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A spark from the plug started a fire.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:spark:x3:1
# text = A spark from the plug started a fire.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	spark	spark	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	from	from	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	plug	plug	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nmod	_	_
6	started	start	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	fire	fire	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **start** | past | a spark from the plug | a fire |  |  |  |  | vn begin-55.1-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent fire=Eventuality |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The book sparked my interest in space.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:spark:x4:1
# text = The book sparked my interest in space.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	book	book	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	sparked	spark	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	my	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	5	nmod:poss	_	_
5	interest	interest	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	space	space	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **spark** | past | the book | my interest |  | space |  |  | vn engender-27.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Precondition interest=Patient |
| 2 | **interest** |  | my |  |  |  |  |  | nom interest «cognition transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Lightning is a giant electric spark.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:spark:x5:1
# text = Lightning is a giant electric spark.
1	Lightning	lightning	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
4	giant	giant	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
5	electric	electric	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	spark	spark	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Lightning | a giant electric spark |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
There was a spark of hope in her eyes.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:spark:x6:1
# text = There was a spark of hope in her eyes.
1	There	there	PRON	EX	PronType=Dem	2	expl	_	_
2	was	be	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	spark	spark	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	hope	hope	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nmod	_	_
7	in	in	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	her	her	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	9	nmod:poss	_	_
9	eyes	eye	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **be** | past | a spark of hope in spark's eyes |  |  | there |  |  | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 2 | **spark** |  | hope in spark's eyes |  |  |  |  |  | nom spark «event intransitive»: of=agent |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Sparks flew when the two teams met.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:spark:x7:1
# text = Sparks flew when the two teams met.
1	Sparks	spark	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	flew	fly	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	when	when	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	7	advmod	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	two	two	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	6	nummod	_	_
6	teams	team	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	nsubj	_	_
7	met	meet	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	2	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **fly** | past | Sparks |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **meet** | participle | the two teams |  |  |  |  |  | vn meet-36.3-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Sparklers give off lots of sparks.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:spark:x8:1
# text = Sparklers give off lots of sparks.
1	Sparklers	sparkler	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	give	give	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	off	off	ADP	RP	_	2	compound:prt	_	_
4	lots	lot	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	sparks	spark	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **give off** | present | Sparklers | lots of sparks |  |  |  |  | vn substance\_emission-43.4 «NP V NP»: agent=Source lot=Theme |

## Example 9 {#x9}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Now he could see glowing sparks, and vivid jets of flame.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:spark:x9:1
# text = Now he could see glowing sparks, and vivid jets of flame.
1	Now	now	ADV	RB	PronType=Dem	4	advmod	_	_
2	he	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
3	could	could	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
4	see	see	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
5	glowing	glow	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	6	amod	_	_
6	sparks	spark	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
8	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	10	cc	_	_
9	vivid	vivid	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
10	jets	jet	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obl	_	_
11	of	of	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
12	flame	flame	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **see** | could | he | glowing sparks |  |  | now | vivid jets of flame *obl* | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer spark=Stimulus |
| 2 | **glow** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn light\_emission-43.1 «NP V»: agent=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 -->

<!-- pn -->
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