---
title: spartan — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «spartan» in the school dictionary: A Spartan was a person from Sparta, a city in ancient Greece famous for its tough soldiers and strict training. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# spartan

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Spartan, Spartan boys, Spartans, hostel room, Grandad, Athens · **What happens:** be, discipline, leave, train, fight, live · **To what, where:** person, Sparta, seven, Thermopylae, spartan life, rivals · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A Spartan was a person from Sparta, a city in ancient Greece famous for its tough soldiers and strict training.

<!-- fold The tree, 20 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:spartan:m1:1
# text = A Spartan was a person from Sparta, a city in ancient Greece famous for its tough soldiers and strict training.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	Spartan	Spartan	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	person	person	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	from	from	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	Sparta	Sparta	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
9	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	city	city	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	_
11	in	in	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
12	ancient	ancient	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	13	amod	_	_
13	Greece	Greece	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	10	nmod	_	_
14	famous	famous	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
15	for	for	ADP	IN	_	18	case	_	_
16	its	its	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	18	nmod:poss	_	_
17	tough	tough	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	18	amod	_	_
18	soldiers	soldier	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	14	obl	_	_
19	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	21	cc	_	_
20	strict	strict	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	21	amod	_	_
21	training	training	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	18	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
22	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | past | a Spartan | a person and a city in ancient Greece |  | Sparta |  |  | 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}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
adjective (lower case): Very simple and plain, without comfort or decoration: a spartan room.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:spartan:m2:1
# text = adjective (lower case): Very simple and plain, without comfort or decoration: a spartan room.
1	adjective	adjective	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nsubj	_	_
2	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	lower	low	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	4	amod	_	_
4	case	case	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	appos	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	8	punct	_	_
7	Very	very	ADV	RB	_	8	advmod	_	_
8	simple	simple	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
9	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	10	cc	_	_
10	plain	plain	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
12	without	without	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
13	comfort	comfort	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	parataxis	_	_
14	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	15	cc	_	_
15	decoration	decoration	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	19	punct	_	_
17	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	19	det	_	_
18	spartan	spartan	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	19	amod	_	_
19	room	room	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
20	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .note -->
The frames reader finds no event or fact in this sentence.

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
adjective.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:spartan:m3:1
# text = adjective.
1	adjective	adjective	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .note -->
The frames reader finds no event or fact in this sentence.

<!-- .note -->
The example in this meaning, parsed on its own:

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Strict, tough and self-disciplined.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:spartan:m3e:1
# text = Strict, tough and self-disciplined.
1	Strict	strict	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
3	tough	tough	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	1	conj	_	_
4	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
5	self	self	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	compound	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	-	-	PUNCT	HYPH	_	5	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	disciplined	discipline	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	1	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **discipline** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Spartan boys left home at seven to train as soldiers.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:spartan:x1:1
# text = Spartan boys left home at seven to train as soldiers.
1	Spartan	spartan	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	boys	boy	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	left	leave	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	home	home	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	_
5	at	at	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	seven	seven	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	3	obl	_	_
7	to	to	PART	TO	_	8	mark	_	_
8	train	train	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	advcl	_	_
9	as	as	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	soldiers	soldier	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **leave** | past | Spartan boys |  |  | seven |  | home *property* | vn keep-15.2 «NP V NP PP.location»: agent=Agent at seven=Location |
| 2 | **train** | to-infinitive | Spartan boys *not said here* |  |  |  |  | as soldiers | vn hire-13.5.3 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: agent=Agent as soldier=Attribute |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The Spartans fought bravely at Thermopylae.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:spartan:x2:1
# text = The Spartans fought bravely at Thermopylae.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	Spartans	Spartan	PROPN	NNPS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	fought	fight	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	bravely	bravely	ADV	RB	_	3	advmod	_	_
5	at	at	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	Thermopylae	Thermopylae	PROPN	NNP	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 | **fight** | past | the Spartans |  |  | Thermopylae |  | bravely *property* | vn battle-36.4-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The hostel room was spartan, with just a bed and a chair.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:spartan:x3:1
# text = The hostel room was spartan, with just a bed and a chair.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	hostel	hostel	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	room	room	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
4	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
5	spartan	spartan	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
7	with	with	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
8	just	just	ADV	RB	_	10	advmod	_	_
9	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	bed	bed	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	_
11	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	13	cc	_	_
12	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	chair	chair	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | the hostel room |  |  |  |  | with a bed and a chair; spartan *property* | tree rules |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Grandad lives a spartan life — no TV and cold showers.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:spartan:x4:1
# text = Grandad lives a spartan life — no TV and cold showers.
1	Grandad	Grandad	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	lives	live	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	spartan	spartan	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	life	life	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
6	—	-	PUNCT	:	_	8	punct	_	_
7	no	no	DET	DT	PronType=Neg	8	det	_	_
8	TV	TV	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	_
9	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	11	cc	_	_
10	cold	cold	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	11	amod	_	_
11	showers	shower	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **live** | present | Grandad | a spartan life |  |  |  | no TV and cold showers *obl* | vn lodge-46 «NP V ADV»: agent=Theme life=Location |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Athens and Sparta were rivals in ancient Greece.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:spartan:x5:1
# text = Athens and Sparta were rivals in ancient Greece.
1	Athens	Athens	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
2	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	3	cc	_	_
3	Sparta	Sparta	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	1	conj	_	_
4	were	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
5	rivals	rival	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	0	root	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	ancient	ancient	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	Greece	Greece	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | past | Athens and Sparta | rivals |  | ancient Greece |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Our school team is called the Spartans.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:spartan:x6:1
# text = Our school team is called the Spartans.
1	Our	our	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	3	nmod:poss	_	_
2	school	school	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	compound	_	_
3	team	team	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj:pass	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	aux:pass	_	_
5	called	call	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	Spartans	Spartan	PROPN	NNPS	Number=Plur	5	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **call** | present · passive |  | Our school team |  |  |  |  | vn initiate\_communication-37.4.2-1 «NP V NP.recipient»: subject=Recipient |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
But when the sun went down, there was not one Spartan left alive.

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:spartan:x7:1
# text = But when the sun went down, there was not one Spartan left alive.
1	But	but	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
2	when	when	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	5	advmod	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	sun	sun	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
5	went	go	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	9	advcl	_	_
6	down	down	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	5	punct	_	_
8	there	there	PRON	EX	PronType=Dem	9	expl	_	_
9	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	13	cop	_	_
10	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	11	advmod	_	_
11	one	one	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	13	nsubj	_	_
12	Spartan	Spartan	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	13	nsubj	_	_
13	left	leave	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
14	alive	alive	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	13	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	13	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **go down** | past | the sun |  |  |  |  | down *property* | vn calibratable\_cos-45.6.1-1 «NP.attribute V»: agent=Attribute |
| 2 | **is** | past | one |  |  |  |  | alive, leave *property* | 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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