---
title: symbolically — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «symbolically» in the school dictionary: Symbolically means in a way that uses a symbol to stand for an idea, rather than in a real or practical way. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# symbolically

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** way, dove, we, church, dark forest, girl · **What happens:** mean, use, stand, hand, wash, show · **To what, where:** symbol, real way, using signs, class key, end, person

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Symbolically means in a way that uses a symbol to stand for an idea, rather than in a real or practical way.

<!-- fold The tree, 22 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:symbolically:m1:1
# text = Symbolically means in a way that uses a symbol to stand for an idea, rather than in a real or practical way.
1	Symbolically	symbolically	ADV	RB	_	2	advmod	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	in	in	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	_
6	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	7	nsubj	_	_
7	uses	use	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	acl:relcl	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	symbol	symbol	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	_
10	to	to	PART	TO	_	11	mark	_	_
11	stand	stand	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	7	advcl	_	_
12	for	for	ADP	IN	_	14	case	_	_
13	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	14	det	_	_
14	idea	idea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	23	punct	_	_
16	rather	rather	ADV	RB	ExtPos=CCONJ	23	cc	_	_
17	than	than	ADP	IN	_	16	fixed	_	_
18	in	in	ADP	IN	_	23	case	_	_
19	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	23	det	_	_
20	real	real	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	23	amod	_	_
21	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	22	cc	_	_
22	practical	practical	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	20	conj	_	_
23	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
24	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present |  |  |  |  |  | in a way; symbolically *property* | vn representation-110.1 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: agent=Pivot in way=Attribute |
| 2 | **use** | present | a way | a symbol |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent symbol=Patient |
| 3 | **stand** | to-infinitive | a way *not said here* |  |  | a real way |  | for a idea | vn assuming\_position-50 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Agent in way=Location |

<!-- .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 -->
In maths, symbolically means using signs and letters, like + and x, instead of words.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:symbolically:m2:1
# text = In maths, symbolically means using signs and letters, like + and x, instead of words.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	2	case	_	_
2	maths	math	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	2	punct	_	_
4	symbolically	symbolically	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
5	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	using	use	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	7	amod	_	_
7	signs	sign	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	obj	_	_
8	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
9	letters	letter	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
11	like	like	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
12	+	+	SYM	SYM	_	7	conj	_	_
13	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	14	cc	_	_
14	x	x	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	18	punct	_	_
16	instead	instead	ADV	RB	ExtPos=ADP	18	case	_	_
17	of	of	ADP	IN	_	16	fixed	_	_
18	words	word	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
19	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present |  | using signs and letters and x and words |  |  |  | in maths; symbolically *property* | vn representation-110.1 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: agent=Pivot sign=Theme in math=Attribute |
| 2 | **use** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The dove symbolically stands for peace.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:symbolically:x1:1
# text = The dove symbolically stands for peace.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	dove	dove	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	symbolically	symbolically	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
4	stands	stand	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	for	for	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	peace	peace	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 | **stand** | present | the dove |  |  |  |  | for peace; symbolically *property* | vn admire-31.2 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: agent=Experiencer for peace=Attribute |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
At the end of the year we symbolically handed the class key to the next year group.

<!-- fold The tree, 17 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:symbolically:x2:1
# text = At the end of the year we symbolically handed the class key to the next year group.
1	At	at	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	end	end	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obl	_	_
4	of	of	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	year	year	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nmod	_	_
7	we	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	9	nsubj	_	_
8	symbolically	symbolically	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	_
9	handed	hand	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
11	class	class	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	compound	_	_
12	key	key	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obj	_	_
13	to	to	ADP	IN	_	17	case	_	_
14	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	17	det	_	_
15	next	next	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	17	amod	_	_
16	year	year	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	17	compound	_	_
17	group	group	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **hand** | past | we | the class key |  |  | at the end of the year | to the next year group; symbolically *property* | vn send-11.1-1 «NP V NP PP.destination»: agent=Agent key=Theme to group=Destination |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
(church) In baptism, water symbolically washes the person clean.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:symbolically:x3:1
# text = (church) In baptism, water symbolically washes the person clean.
1	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	church	church	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	2	punct	_	_
4	In	in	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	baptism	baptism	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	7	punct	_	_
7	water	water	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	conj	_	_
8	symbolically	symbolically	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	_
9	washes	wash	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	person	person	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obj	_	_
12	clean	clean	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **wash** | present | church in baptism and water | the person |  |  |  | clean, symbolically *property* | vn floss-41.2.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent person=Patient |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In the story, the dark forest symbolically shows the girl's fear.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:symbolically:x4:1
# text = In the story, the dark forest symbolically shows the girl's fear.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	story	story	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	dark	dark	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	forest	forest	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nsubj	_	_
8	symbolically	symbolically	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	_
9	shows	show	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	girl	girl	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	's	's	PART	POS	_	11	case	_	_
13	fear	fear	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **show** | present | the dark forest | the girl's fear |  |  |  | in the story; symbolically *property* | vn crane-40.3.2 «NP V NP PP.recipient PP.theme»: agent=Agent fear=Patient in story=Topic |
| 2 | **fear** |  | the girl |  |  |  |  |  | nom fear «feeling transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We wrote the problem symbolically as 3 × n = 12.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:symbolically:x5:1
# text = We wrote the problem symbolically as 3 × n = 12.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	wrote	write	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	problem	problem	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	symbolically	symbolically	ADV	RB	_	7	advmod	_	_
6	as	as	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	3	3	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	8	nummod	_	_
8	×	×	SYM	SYM	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	_
9	n	n	NOUN	NN	_	8	obl	_	_
10	=	=	SYM	SYM	_	11	case	_	_
11	12	12	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	9	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **write** | past | We | the problem |  |  |  |  | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent problem=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Planting a tree was a symbolically important start for the new school.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:symbolically:x6:1
# text = Planting a tree was a symbolically important start for the new school.
1	Planting	plant	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	8	csubj	_	_
2	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	tree	tree	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	8	cop	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
6	symbolically	symbolically	ADV	RB	_	7	advmod	_	_
7	important	important	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	start	start	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
9	for	for	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
11	new	new	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	12	amod	_	_
12	school	school	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **plant** | gerund |  | a tree |  |  |  |  | vn establish-55.5-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent tree=Patient |
| 2 | **is a** | past | Planting | a important start |  |  |  | for the new school | 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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