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dull

Who acts: Dull, dull blade, dull sound, something, film, I · What happens: mean, fade, not be, be, fall, not cut · To what, where: colours, dull grey morning, bread, dull thud, dull pain, tooth

«dull» in the school dictionary: its 5 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: dull in the school dictionary.

Meaning 1

Dull means boring, not interesting or exciting.

nsubjxcomppunctadvmodconjccconjpunctrootDullADJmeansVERBboringADJ,PUNCTnotPARTinterestingADJorCCONJexcitingADJ.PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1DulldullADJDegree=Pos2 meansnsubj
2meansmeanVERBMood=Ind Number=Sing Person=3 Tense=Pres VerbForm=Finrootroot
3boringboringADJDegree=Pos2 meansxcomp
4,,PUNCT_6 interestingpunct
5notnotPARTPolarity=Neg6 interestingadvmod
6interestinginterestingADJDegree=Pos3 boringconj
7ororCCONJ_8 excitingcc
8excitingexcitingADJDegree=Pos3 boringconj
9..PUNCT_2 meanspunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1meanpresentDullboring propertyvn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent

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

Dull means not bright or shiny, like a grey sky or faded colours.

The tree, 13 words
nsubjadvmodxcompccconjpunctcasedetamodconjccconjobjpunctrootDullADJmeansVERBnotPARTbrightADJorCCONJshinyADJ,PUNCTlikeADPaDETgreyADJskyNOUNorCCONJfadedVERBcoloursNOUN.PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1DulldullADJDegree=Pos2 meansnsubj
2meansmeanVERBMood=Ind Number=Sing Person=3 Tense=Pres VerbForm=Finrootroot
3notnotPARTPolarity=Neg4 brightadvmod
4brightbrightADJDegree=Pos2 meansxcomp
5ororCCONJ_6 shinycc
6shinyshinyADJDegree=Pos4 brightconj
7,,PUNCT_11 skypunct
8likelikeADP_11 skycase
9aaDETDefinite=Ind PronType=Art11 skydet
10greygreyADJDegree=Pos11 skyamod
11skyskyNOUNNumber=Sing4 brightconj
12ororCCONJ_13 fadedcc
13fadedfadeVERBMood=Ind Number=Sing Person=3 Tense=Past VerbForm=Fin11 skyconj
14colourscolourNOUNNumber=Plur13 fadedobj
15..PUNCT_2 meanspunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1meanpresentDullbright propertyvn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent
2fadepastDull not said herecoloursvn other_cos-45.4 «NP V NP.patient»: agent=Agent colour=Patient

Meaning 3

A dull blade or pencil is not sharp.

detamodnsubjccconjcopadvmodpunctrootADETdullADJbladeNOUNorCCONJpencilNOUNisAUXnotPARTsharpADJ.PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1AaDETDefinite=Ind PronType=Art3 bladedet
2dulldullADJDegree=Pos3 bladeamod
3bladebladeNOUNNumber=Sing8 sharpnsubj
4ororCCONJ_5 pencilcc
5pencilpencilNOUNNumber=Sing3 bladeconj
6isbeAUXMood=Ind Number=Sing Person=3 Tense=Pres VerbForm=Fin8 sharpcop
7notnotPARTPolarity=Neg8 sharpadvmod
8sharpsharpADJDegree=Posrootroot
9..PUNCT_8 sharppunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1not ispresenta dull blade or pencilsharp propertytree rules

Meaning 4

A dull sound or pain is not sharp or clear but soft and heavy.

The tree, 14 words
detamodnsubjccconjcopadvmodccconjccconjccconjpunctrootADETdullADJsoundNOUNorCCONJpainNOUNisAUXnotPARTsharpADJorCCONJclearADJbutCCONJsoftADJandCCONJheavyADJ.PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1AaDETDefinite=Ind PronType=Art3 sounddet
2dulldullADJDegree=Pos3 soundamod
3soundsoundNOUNNumber=Sing8 sharpnsubj
4ororCCONJ_5 paincc
5painpainNOUNNumber=Sing3 soundconj
6isbeAUXMood=Ind Number=Sing Person=3 Tense=Pres VerbForm=Fin8 sharpcop
7notnotPARTPolarity=Neg8 sharpadvmod
8sharpsharpADJDegree=Posrootroot
9ororCCONJ_10 clearcc
10clearclearADJDegree=Pos8 sharpconj
11butbutCCONJ_12 softcc
12softsoftADJDegree=Pos8 sharpconj
13andandCCONJ_14 heavycc
14heavyheavyADJDegree=Pos8 sharpconj
15..PUNCT_8 sharppunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1not ispresenta dull sound or painsharp propertytree rules
2bea dull sound or pain not said heretree rules
3bea dull sound or pain not said heretree rules
4bea dull sound or pain not said heretree rules

Meaning 5

To dull something is to make it less strong or less bright.

markamodnsubjcopmarkobjadvmodxcompccamodconjpunctrootToPARTdullADJsomethingPRONisAUXtoPARTmakeVERBitPRONlessADVstrongADJorCCONJlessADJbrightADJ.PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1TotoPART_2 dullmark
2dulldullADJDegree=Pos3 somethingamod
3somethingsomethingPRONNumber=Sing PronType=Ind6 makensubj
4isbeAUXMood=Ind Number=Sing Person=3 Tense=Pres VerbForm=Fin6 makecop
5totoPART_6 makemark
6makemakeVERBVerbForm=Infrootroot
7ititPRONCase=Acc Gender=Neut Number=Sing Person=3 PronType=Prs6 makeobj
8lesslessADVDegree=Cmp9 strongadvmod
9strongstrongADJDegree=Pos6 makexcomp
10ororCCONJ_12 brightcc
11lesslessADJDegree=Cmp12 brightamod
12brightbrightADJDegree=Pos9 strongconj
13..PUNCT_6 makepunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1ispresentsomethingmake, strong propertytree rules

Example 1

The film was so dull that I fell asleep.

detnsubjcopadvmodmarknsubjadvclxcomppunctrootTheDETfilmNOUNwasAUXsoADVdullADJthatSCONJIPRONfellVERBasleepADJ.PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1ThetheDETDefinite=Def PronType=Art2 filmdet
2filmfilmNOUNNumber=Sing5 dullnsubj
3wasbeAUXMood=Ind Number=Sing Person=3 Tense=Past VerbForm=Fin5 dullcop
4sosoADV_5 dulladvmod
5dulldullADJDegree=Posrootroot
6thatthatSCONJ_8 fellmark
7IIPRONCase=Nom Number=Sing Person=1 PronType=Prs8 fellnsubj
8fellfallVERBMood=Ind Number=Sing Person=1 Tense=Past VerbForm=Fin5 dulladvcl
9asleepasleepADJDegree=Pos8 fellxcomp
10..PUNCT_5 dullpunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1ispastthe filmdull propertytree rules
2fallpastIasleep propertyvn occur-48.3 «NP V»: agent=Theme

Example 2

It was a dull, grey morning.

nsubjcopdetamodpunctamodpunctrootItPRONwasAUXaDETdullADJ,PUNCTgreyADJmorningNOUN.PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1ItitPRONCase=Nom Gender=Neut Number=Sing Person=3 PronType=Prs7 morningnsubj
2wasbeAUXMood=Ind Number=Sing Person=3 Tense=Past VerbForm=Fin7 morningcop
3aaDETDefinite=Ind PronType=Art7 morningdet
4dulldullADJDegree=Pos7 morningamod
5,,PUNCT_4 dullpunct
6greygreyADJDegree=Pos7 morningamod
7morningmorningNOUNNumber=Singrootroot
8..PUNCT_7 morningpunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1is apastIta dull grey morningtree rules

Example 3

This knife is dull; it won't cut the bread.

detnsubjcoppunctnsubjauxadvmodconjdetobjpunctrootThisDETknifeNOUNisAUXdullADJ;PUNCTitPRONwoAUXn'tPARTcutVERBtheDETbreadNOUN.PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1ThisthisDETNumber=Sing PronType=Dem2 knifedet
2knifeknifeNOUNNumber=Sing4 dullnsubj
3isbeAUXMood=Ind Number=Sing Person=3 Tense=Pres VerbForm=Fin4 dullcop
4dulldullADJDegree=Posrootroot
5;;PUNCT_9 cutpunct
6ititPRONCase=Nom Gender=Neut Number=Sing Person=3 PronType=Prs9 cutnsubj
7wowillAUXVerbForm=Fin9 cutaux
8n'tnotPARTPolarity=Neg9 cutadvmod
9cutcutVERBVerbForm=Inf4 dullconj
10thetheDETDefinite=Def PronType=Art11 breaddet
11breadbreadNOUNNumber=Sing9 cutobj
12..PUNCT_4 dullpunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1ispresentthis knifedull propertytree rules
2not cutfutureknifethe breadvn build-26.1-1 «NP.material V NP»: agent=Material bread=Product

Example 4

I heard a dull thud from upstairs.

nsubjdetamodobjcaseoblpunctrootIPRONheardVERBaDETdullADJthudNOUNfromADPupstairsADV.PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1IIPRONCase=Nom Number=Sing Person=1 PronType=Prs2 heardnsubj
2heardhearVERBMood=Ind Number=Sing Person=1 Tense=Past VerbForm=Finrootroot
3aaDETDefinite=Ind PronType=Art5 thuddet
4dulldullADJDegree=Pos5 thudamod
5thudthudNOUNNumber=Sing2 heardobj
6fromfromADP_7 upstairscase
7upstairsupstairsADV_2 heardobl
8..PUNCT_2 heardpunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1hearpastIa dull thudvn learn-14-2-1 «NP V NP PP.source»: agent=Agent thud=Topic from upstairs=Source

Example 5

He had a dull pain in his tooth.

nsubjdetamodobjcasenmod:possnmodpunctrootHePRONhadVERBaDETdullADJpainNOUNinADPhisPRONtoothNOUN.PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1HehePRONCase=Nom Gender=Masc Number=Sing Person=3 PronType=Prs2 hadnsubj
2hadhaveVERBMood=Ind Number=Sing Person=3 Tense=Past VerbForm=Finrootroot
3aaDETDefinite=Ind PronType=Art5 paindet
4dulldullADJDegree=Pos5 painamod
5painpainNOUNNumber=Sing2 hadobj
6ininADP_8 toothcase
7hishisPRONCase=Gen Gender=Masc Number=Sing Person=3 Poss=Yes PronType=Prs8 toothnmod:poss
8toothtoothNOUNNumber=Sing5 painnmod
9..PUNCT_2 hadpunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1havepastHea dull painhis toothvn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent pain=Patient

Example 6

Polish the dull spoons until they shine.

detamodobjmarknsubjadvclpunctrootPolishVERBtheDETdullADJspoonsNOUNuntilSCONJtheyPRONshineVERB.PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1PolishpolishVERBMood=Imp VerbForm=Finrootroot
2thetheDETDefinite=Def PronType=Art4 spoonsdet
3dulldullADJDegree=Pos4 spoonsamod
4spoonsspoonNOUNNumber=Plur1 Polishobj
5untiluntilSCONJ_7 shinemark
6theytheyPRONCase=Nom Number=Plur Person=3 PronType=Prs7 shinensubj
7shineshineVERBMood=Ind Number=Plur Person=3 Tense=Pres VerbForm=Fin1 Polishadvcl
8..PUNCT_1 Polishpunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1polishimperativeyou not said herethe dull spoonsvn butter-9.9 «NP V NP.destination»: agent=Agent spoon=Destination
2shinepresentspoons = spoonvn light_emission-43.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme

Example 7

With my little brother around, there's never a dull moment.

casenmod:possamodobladvmodpunctexpladvmoddetamodnsubjpunctrootWithADPmyPRONlittleADJbrotherNOUNaroundADV,PUNCTtherePRON'sVERBneverADVaDETdullADJmomentNOUN.PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1WithwithADP_4 brothercase
2mymyPRONCase=Gen Number=Sing Person=1 Poss=Yes PronType=Prs4 brothernmod:poss
3littlelittleADJDegree=Pos4 brotheramod
4brotherbrotherNOUNNumber=Sing8 'sobl
5aroundaroundADV_4 brotheradvmod
6,,PUNCT_4 brotherpunct
7theretherePRONPronType=Dem8 'sexpl
8'sbeVERBMood=Ind Number=Sing Person=3 Tense=Pres VerbForm=Finrootroot
9neverneverADVPronType=Neg12 momentadvmod
10aaDETDefinite=Ind PronType=Art12 momentdet
11dulldullADJDegree=Pos12 momentamod
12momentmomentNOUNNumber=Sing8 'snsubj
13..PUNCT_8 'spunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1bepresenta dull momenttherewith my little brothervn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme

Example 8

The medicine dulled the pain.

detnsubjdetobjpunctrootTheDETmedicineNOUNdulledVERBtheDETpainNOUN.PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1ThetheDETDefinite=Def PronType=Art2 medicinedet
2medicinemedicineNOUNNumber=Sing3 dullednsubj
3dulleddullVERBMood=Ind Number=Sing Person=3 Tense=Past VerbForm=Finrootroot
4thetheDETDefinite=Def PronType=Art5 paindet
5painpainNOUNNumber=Sing3 dulledobj
6..PUNCT_3 dulledpunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1dullpastthe medicinethe painvn other_cos-45.4 «NP V NP.patient»: agent=Agent pain=Patient

Example 9

Soon he found life in the pasture very dull.

advmodnsubjobjcasedetobladvmodamodpunctrootSoonADVhePRONfoundVERBlifeNOUNinADPtheDETpastureNOUNveryADVdullADJ.PUNCT
The words, one row each (CoNLL-U)
#wordlemmaUPOSfeaturesheadrelation
1SoonsoonADVDegree=Pos3 foundadvmod
2hehePRONCase=Nom Gender=Masc Number=Sing Person=3 PronType=Prs3 foundnsubj
3foundfindVERBMood=Ind Number=Sing Person=3 Tense=Past VerbForm=Finrootroot
4lifelifeNOUNNumber=Sing3 foundobj
5ininADP_7 pasturecase
6thetheDETDefinite=Def PronType=Art7 pasturedet
7pasturepastureNOUNNumber=Sing3 foundobl
8veryveryADV_9 dulladvmod
9dulldullADJDegree=Pos7 pastureamod
10..PUNCT_3 foundpunct
#verbtense, moodwhowhat, whomto whomwherewhenotherroles by
1findpasthelifethe pasturesoon propertyvn discover-84 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent life=Topic

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.

This page in Markdown → https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dull/