---
title: telegraphic — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «telegraphic» in the school dictionary: Telegraphic means to do with the telegraph, the old machine that sent messages along wires as electric signals. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# telegraphic

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Telegraphic, old machine, Telegraphic speech, you, telegraphic messages, notes · **What happens:** mean, do, send, be, leave out, arrive · **To what, where:** messages, little words, stop, oceans, telegraphic speech, juice · **Speech:** someone speaks here

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

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Telegraphic means to do with the telegraph, the old machine that sent messages along wires as electric signals.

<!-- fold The tree, 18 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:telegraphic:m1:1
# text = Telegraphic means to do with the telegraph, the old machine that sent messages along wires as electric signals.
1	Telegraphic	telegraphic	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	to	to	PART	TO	_	4	mark	_	_
4	do	do	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	ccomp	_	_
5	with	with	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	telegraph	telegraph	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
10	old	old	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	11	amod	_	_
11	machine	machine	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	appos	_	_
12	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	13	nsubj	_	_
13	sent	send	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	11	acl:relcl	_	_
14	messages	message	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	13	obj	_	_
15	along	along	ADP	IN	_	16	case	_	_
16	wires	wire	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	13	obl	_	_
17	as	as	ADP	IN	_	19	case	_	_
18	electric	electric	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	19	amod	_	_
19	signals	signal	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	13	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
20	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | Telegraphic |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **do** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  | with the telegraph | vn act-114-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **send** | past | the old machine | messages |  |  |  | along wires; as electric signals | vn confine-92-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent message=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 -->
Telegraphic speech or writing is very short and leaves out little words, like an old telegram.

<!-- fold The tree, 16 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:telegraphic:m2:1
# text = Telegraphic speech or writing is very short and leaves out little words, like an old telegram.
1	Telegraphic	telegraphic	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	speech	speech	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
3	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	4	cc	_	_
4	writing	writing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	conj	_	_
5	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
6	very	very	ADV	RB	_	7	advmod	_	_
7	short	short	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
8	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
9	leaves	leave	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	conj	_	_
10	out	out	ADP	RP	_	9	compound:prt	_	_
11	little	little	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	12	amod	_	_
12	words	word	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	17	punct	_	_
14	like	like	ADP	IN	_	17	case	_	_
15	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	17	det	_	_
16	old	old	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	17	amod	_	_
17	telegram	telegram	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | Telegraphic speech or writing |  |  |  |  | short *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **leave out** | present | Telegraphic speech or writing *not said here* | little words and a old telegram |  |  |  |  | vn neglect-75.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent word=Theme |

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

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
"Arrive Monday stop."

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:telegraphic:m2e:1
# text = "Arrive Monday stop."
1	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Arrive	arrive	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	Monday	Monday	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
4	stop	stop	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **arrive** *in a quote* | imperative | you *not said here* | stop |  |  | monday |  | tree rules |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In the 1800s, telegraphic messages crossed oceans along cables under the sea.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:telegraphic:x1:1
# text = In the 1800s, telegraphic messages crossed oceans along cables under the sea.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	1800s	1800	NOUN	NNS	Number=Ptan|NumForm=Combi|NumType=Card	7	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
5	telegraphic	telegraphic	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	messages	message	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	nsubj	_	_
7	crossed	cross	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
8	oceans	ocean	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	obj	_	_
9	along	along	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	cables	cable	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	obl	_	_
11	under	under	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
12	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	sea	sea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **cross** | participle | telegraphic messages | oceans |  |  |  | along cables; under the sea; in the 1800s | vn crane-40.3.2 «NP V NP PP.recipient PP.theme»: agent=Agent ocean=Patient in 1800=Topic |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
His notes were telegraphic: "Lunch. Park. Rain. Home."

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 1:* His notes were telegraphic: "Lunch.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:telegraphic:x2:1
# text = His notes were telegraphic: "Lunch.
1	His	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	notes	note	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj	_	_
3	were	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
4	telegraphic	telegraphic	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	7	punct	_	_
6	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	7	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	Lunch	lunch	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | His notes |  |  |  |  | telegraphic *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **note** |  | His *= he* |  |  |  |  |  | nom note «communication transitive»: poss=agent |

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 2:* Park.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:telegraphic:x2:2
# text = Park.
1	Park	park	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 -->
*Sentence 3:* Rain.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:telegraphic:x2:3
# text = Rain.
1	Rain	rain	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 -->
*Sentence 4:* Home."

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:telegraphic:x2:4
# text = Home."
1	Home	home	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	1	punct	_	_
```

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

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Toddlers use telegraphic speech, like "Me want juice."

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:telegraphic:x3:1
# text = Toddlers use telegraphic speech, like "Me want juice."
1	Toddlers	toddler	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	use	use	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	telegraphic	telegraphic	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	speech	speech	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	9	punct	_	_
6	like	like	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
7	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	9	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	Me	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	9	nsubj	_	_
9	want	want	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	2	conj	_	_
10	juice	juice	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | present | Toddlers | telegraphic speech |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent speech=Patient |
| 2 | **want** *in a quote* | present | Me | juice |  |  |  |  | vn want-32.1-1-1 «NP V NP ADV»: agent=Pivot juice=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The old station still has a telegraphic office.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:telegraphic:x4:1
# text = The old station still has a telegraphic office.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	old	old	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	station	station	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
4	still	still	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
5	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
7	telegraphic	telegraphic	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	office	office	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | the old station | a telegraphic office |  |  | still |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent office=Patient |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Text messages can sound telegraphic because people leave out words.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:telegraphic:x5:1
# text = Text messages can sound telegraphic because people leave out words.
1	Text	text	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	compound	_	_
2	messages	message	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj	_	_
3	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
4	sound	sound	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
5	telegraphic	telegraphic	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	xcomp	_	_
6	because	because	SCONJ	IN	_	8	mark	_	_
7	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	nsubj	_	_
8	leave	leave	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	advcl	_	_
9	out	out	ADP	RP	_	8	compound:prt	_	_
10	words	word	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **sound** | can | Text messages |  |  |  |  | telegraphic *property* | vn stimulus\_subject-30.4 «NP V ADJ»: agent=Stimulus |
| 2 | **leave out** | present | people | words |  |  |  |  | vn neglect-75.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent word=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The teacher said my story summary was too telegraphic and needed full sentences.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:telegraphic:x6:1
# text = The teacher said my story summary was too telegraphic and needed full sentences.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	teacher	teacher	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	said	say	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	6	nmod:poss	_	_
5	story	story	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	compound	_	_
6	summary	summary	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nsubj	_	_
7	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	9	cop	_	_
8	too	too	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	_
9	telegraphic	telegraphic	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	ccomp	_	_
10	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	11	cc	_	_
11	needed	need	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	conj	_	_
12	full	full	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	13	amod	_	_
13	sentences	sentence	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	11	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **say** *speech: assert* | past | the teacher |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **is** | past | my story summary |  |  |  |  | telegraphic *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **need** | past | the teacher *not said here* | full sentences |  |  |  |  | vn want-32.1-1-1 «NP V NP ADV»: agent=Pivot sentence=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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