---
title: towel — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «towel» in the school dictionary: A towel is a piece of thick soft cloth or paper used to dry your body, hands or dishes. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# towel

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** towel, you, Grandma, tired boxer · **What happens:** be, use, dry, not forget, hang up, wipe · **To what, where:** piece, thick soft cloth, body, hands, towel, wet towel

<!-- .vabout -->
«towel» in the school dictionary: its 2 meanings for a pupil and its 8 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: [towel in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/towel.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A towel is a piece of thick soft cloth or paper used to dry your body, hands or dishes.

<!-- fold The tree, 19 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:towel:m1:1
# text = A towel is a piece of thick soft cloth or paper used to dry your body, hands or dishes.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	towel	towel	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	piece	piece	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
7	thick	thick	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
8	soft	soft	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	cloth	cloth	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	_
10	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	11	cc	_	_
11	paper	paper	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	conj	_	_
12	used	use	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	9	acl	_	_
13	to	to	PART	TO	_	14	mark	_	_
14	dry	dry	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	12	advcl	_	_
15	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	16	nmod:poss	_	_
16	body	body	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	18	punct	_	_
18	hands	hand	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	16	conj	_	_
19	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	20	cc	_	_
20	dishes	dish	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	16	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a towel | a piece |  |  |  | of thick soft cloth or paper | tree rules |
| 2 | **use** | participle |  | thick soft cloth or paper *not said here* |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **dry** | to-infinitive |  | your body and hands or dishes |  |  |  |  | vn other\_cos-45.4-1 «NP V NP ADJ»: agent=Patient body=Result |

<!-- .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 -->
To towel (off) is to dry yourself with a towel.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:towel:m2:1
# text = To towel (off) is to dry yourself with a towel.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	towel	towel	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	advcl	_	_
3	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	off	off	ADP	RP	_	2	compound	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	2	punct	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	cop	_	_
7	to	to	PART	TO	_	8	mark	_	_
8	dry	dry	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
9	yourself	yourself	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=2|PronType=Prs|Reflex=Yes	8	obj	_	_
10	with	with	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	towel	towel	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present |  |  |  |  |  | with a towel; dry *property* | tree rules |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Dry your hands on the towel.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:towel:x1:1
# text = Dry your hands on the towel.
1	Dry	dry	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	3	nmod:poss	_	_
3	hands	hand	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	towel	towel	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **dry** | imperative | you *not said here* | your hands |  | the towel |  |  | vn other\_cos-45.4-1 «NP V NP ADJ»: agent=Patient hand=Result |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Don't forget your towel for swimming.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:towel:x2:1
# text = Don't forget your towel for swimming.
1	Do	do	AUX	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	3	advmod	_	_
3	forget	forget	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	5	nmod:poss	_	_
5	towel	towel	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	for	for	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	swimming	swimming	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 | **not** **forget** | imperative · do-support | you *not said here* | your towel |  |  |  | for swimming | tree rules |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Hang your wet towel up to dry.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:towel:x3:1
# text = Hang your wet towel up to dry.
1	Hang	hang	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	4	nmod:poss	_	_
3	wet	wet	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	towel	towel	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
5	up	up	ADP	RP	_	1	compound:prt	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	dry	dry	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	1	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **hang up** | imperative | you *not said here* | your wet towel |  |  |  |  | vn poison-42.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent towel=Patient |
| 2 | **dry** | to-infinitive | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn other\_cos-45.4-1 «NP.patient V»: agent=Patient |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Use a paper towel to wipe the spill.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:towel:x4:1
# text = Use a paper towel to wipe the spill.
1	Use	use	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
3	paper	paper	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	compound	_	_
4	towel	towel	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	wipe	wipe	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	1	advcl	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	spill	spill	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | imperative | you *not said here* | a paper towel |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent towel=Patient |
| 2 | **wipe** | to-infinitive | you *not said here* | the spill |  |  |  |  | vn wipe\_manner-10.4.1-1 «NP V NP.source»: agent=Agent spill=Source |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Grandma dried the plates with a tea towel.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:towel:x5:1
# text = Grandma dried the plates with a tea towel.
1	Grandma	grandma	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	dried	dry	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	plates	plate	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
5	with	with	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
7	tea	tea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	compound	_	_
8	towel	towel	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 | **dry** | past | Grandma | the plates |  |  |  | with a tea towel | vn other\_cos-45.4-1 «NP V NP PP.instrument»: agent=Agent plate=Patient with towel=Instrument |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Lie on your beach towel in the shade.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:towel:x6:1
# text = Lie on your beach towel in the shade.
1	Lie	lie	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	on	on	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
3	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	5	nmod:poss	_	_
4	beach	beach	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	compound	_	_
5	towel	towel	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	_
6	in	in	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	shade	shade	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **lie** | imperative | you *not said here* |  |  | your beach towel in the shade |  |  | vn assuming\_position-50 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Agent on towel=Location |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Don't share towels when you have a cold.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:towel:x7:1
# text = Don't share towels when you have a cold.
1	Do	do	AUX	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	3	advmod	_	_
3	share	share	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	towels	towel	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	_
5	when	when	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	7	advmod	_	_
6	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	7	nsubj	_	_
7	have	have	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	advcl	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	cold	cold	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **share** | imperative · do-support | you *not said here* | towels |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **have** | present | you | a cold |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent cold=Patient |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The tired boxer threw in the towel.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:towel:x8:1
# text = The tired boxer threw in the towel.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	tired	tired	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	boxer	boxer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	threw	throw	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	towel	towel	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **throw** | past | the tired boxer |  |  | the towel |  |  | vn throw-17.1-1-1 «NP V NP PP.destinations»: agent=Agent in towel=Destination |

<!-- 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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