used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading From an open shed under a great jack-fruit tree a little distance away there came the murmur of women's voices and, now and then, a laugh.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Now and then one would speak, and another would answer in low, lazy tones.
react verbally
From this reading Now and then one would speak, and another would answer in low, lazy tones.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading From an open shed under a great jack-fruit tree a little distance away there came the murmur of women's voices and, now and then, a laugh.
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading They were the wives of the brown men, and were cooking supper for their husbands and the two white men.
brown-skinned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading From an open shed under a great jack-fruit tree a little distance away there came the murmur of women's voices and, now and then, a laugh.
clusterverbUS /ˈklʌstər/
come together as in a cluster or flock
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
cocosnounUS /ˈkoʊkoʊz/
coconut palms
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
cookingnounUS /ˈkʊkɪŋ/
the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat
From this reading They were the wives of the brown men, and were cooking supper for their husbands and the two white men.
curvingadjectiveUS /ˈkɜːrvɪŋ/
having or marked by a curve or smoothly rounded bend
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
day'snounUS /deɪz/
possessive form of “day” — time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The day's work was finished.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading From an open shed under a great jack-fruit tree a little distance away there came the murmur of women's voices and, now and then, a laugh.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading The day's work was finished.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From an open shed under a great jack-fruit tree a little distance away there came the murmur of women's voices and, now and then, a laugh.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading From an open shed under a great jack-fruit tree a little distance away there came the murmur of women's voices and, now and then, a laugh.
husbandsnounUS /ˈhʌzbəndz/
plural of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading They were the wives of the brown men, and were cooking supper for their husbands and the two white men.
hutsnounUS /hʌts/
plural of “hut” — temporary military shelter
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Now and then one would speak, and another would answer in low, lazy tones.
jack-fruit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From an open shed under a great jack-fruit tree a little distance away there came the murmur of women's voices and, now and then, a laugh.
and nothing more
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
the sound of laughing
From this reading From an open shed under a great jack-fruit tree a little distance away there came the murmur of women's voices and, now and then, a laugh.
lazyadjectiveUS /ˈleɪzi/
moving slowly and gently
From this reading Now and then one would speak, and another would answer in low, lazy tones.
lengtheningnounUS /ˈleŋθənɪŋ/
the act of prolonging something
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading From an open shed under a great jack-fruit tree a little distance away there came the murmur of women's voices and, now and then, a laugh.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Now and then one would speak, and another would answer in low, lazy tones.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
the force of workers available
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading From an open shed under a great jack-fruit tree a little distance away there came the murmur of women's voices and, now and then, a laugh.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now and then one would speak, and another would answer in low, lazy tones.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Now and then one would speak, and another would answer in low, lazy tones.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading From an open shed under a great jack-fruit tree a little distance away there came the murmur of women's voices and, now and then, a laugh.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
palm-thatched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
partnernounUS /ˈpɑːrtnər/
a person's partner in marriage
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
Polynesians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
rudelyadverbUS /ˈruːdli/
in an impolite manner
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
get rid of
From this reading From an open shed under a great jack-fruit tree a little distance away there came the murmur of women's voices and, now and then, a laugh.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
express in speech
From this reading Now and then one would speak, and another would answer in low, lazy tones.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading They were the wives of the brown men, and were cooking supper for their husbands and the two white men.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The day's work was finished.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Now and then one would speak, and another would answer in low, lazy tones.
in or at that place or location
From this reading From an open shed under a great jack-fruit tree a little distance away there came the murmur of women's voices and, now and then, a laugh.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were the wives of the brown men, and were cooking supper for their husbands and the two white men.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice
From this reading Now and then one would speak, and another would answer in low, lazy tones.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading From an open shed under a great jack-fruit tree a little distance away there came the murmur of women's voices and, now and then, a laugh.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading From an open shed under a great jack-fruit tree a little distance away there came the murmur of women's voices and, now and then, a laugh.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The day's work was finished.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
a Caucasian
From this reading Outside a cluster of rudely built palm-thatched huts, just above the curving white beach, and under the lengthening shadows of the silent cocos, two white men (my partner and myself) and a party of brown-skinned Polynesians were seated together smoking, and waiting for their evening meal.
plural of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading They were the wives of the brown men, and were cooking supper for their husbands and the two white men.
women's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From an open shed under a great jack-fruit tree a little distance away there came the murmur of women's voices and, now and then, a laugh.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The day's work was finished.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Now and then one would speak, and another would answer in low, lazy tones.
