used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
AmennounUS /eɪˈmen/
a primeval Egyptian personification of air and breath; worshipped especially at Thebes
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She got up at last and slipped on a dressing-gown, and went out and sat on the platform.
attentiveadjectiveUS /əˈtentɪv/
(often followed by “to”) giving care or attention
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was the first time she and Kenneth had been separated, since their marriage, and she felt as lonely as the circumstances demanded.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
bumble-bees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading It was the first time she and Kenneth had been separated, since their marriage, and she felt as lonely as the circumstances demanded.
communitynounUS /kəˈmjuːnəti/
a group of people living in a particular local area
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
conductedverbUS /kənˈdʌktəd/
past form of “conduct” — direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Jean could not sleep that night.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading It was the first time she and Kenneth had been separated, since their marriage, and she felt as lonely as the circumstances demanded.
dispersedadjectiveUS /dɪˈspɜːrst/
distributed or spread over a considerable extent
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
dressing-gown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She got up at last and slipped on a dressing-gown, and went out and sat on the platform.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
echoedverbUS /ˈekoʊd/
past form of “echo” — to say again or imitate
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
EvansnounUS /ˈevənz/
United States anatomist who identified four pituitary hormones and discovered vitamin E (1882-1971)
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
explosiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsploʊsɪv/
serving to explode or characterized by explosion or sudden outburst
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading It was the first time she and Kenneth had been separated, since their marriage, and she felt as lonely as the circumstances demanded.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was the first time she and Kenneth had been separated, since their marriage, and she felt as lonely as the circumstances demanded.
gailyadverbUS /ˈɡeɪli/
in a gay manner
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading She got up at last and slipped on a dressing-gown, and went out and sat on the platform.
gustonounUS /ˈɡʌstoʊ/
vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was the first time she and Kenneth had been separated, since their marriage, and she felt as lonely as the circumstances demanded.
hissverbUS /hɪs/
make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
homesnounUS /hoʊmz/
plural of “home” — where you live at a particular time
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
hummed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
inevitableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnevətəbəl/
incapable of being avoided or prevented
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the first time she and Kenneth had been separated, since their marriage, and she felt as lonely as the circumstances demanded.
a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric
From this reading Jean could not sleep that night.
Kenneth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first time she and Kenneth had been separated, since their marriage, and she felt as lonely as the circumstances demanded.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
lagoonnounUS /ləˈɡuːn/
a body of water cut off from a larger body by a reef of sand or coral
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
immediately past
From this reading She got up at last and slipped on a dressing-gown, and went out and sat on the platform.
laundrynounUS /ˈlɔːndri/
garments or white goods that can be cleaned by laundering
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading It was the first time she and Kenneth had been separated, since their marriage, and she felt as lonely as the circumstances demanded.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading It was the first time she and Kenneth had been separated, since their marriage, and she felt as lonely as the circumstances demanded.
the force of workers available
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
Nai
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Jean could not sleep that night.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
operationsnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃənz/
financial transactions at a brokerage; having to do with the execution of trades and keeping customer records
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She got up at last and slipped on a dressing-gown, and went out and sat on the platform.
peacefullyadverbUS /ˈpiːsfəli/
in a peaceful manner
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
a raised horizontal surface
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading She got up at last and slipped on a dressing-gown, and went out and sat on the platform.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
being or feeling set or kept apart from others
From this reading It was the first time she and Kenneth had been separated, since their marriage, and she felt as lonely as the circumstances demanded.
sermonnounUS /ˈsɜːrmən/
an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
SETBACKSnounUS /ˈsetbæks/
plural of “setback” — an unfortunate happening that hinders or impedes; something that is thwarting or frustrating
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was the first time she and Kenneth had been separated, since their marriage, and she felt as lonely as the circumstances demanded.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading It was the first time she and Kenneth had been separated, since their marriage, and she felt as lonely as the circumstances demanded.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Jean could not sleep that night.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Jean could not sleep that night.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was the first time she and Kenneth had been separated, since their marriage, and she felt as lonely as the circumstances demanded.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
TorchnounUS /tɔːrtʃ/
a light usually carried in the hand; consists of some flammable substance
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
tunesnounUS /tuːnz/
plural of “tune” — a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She got up at last and slipped on a dressing-gown, and went out and sat on the platform.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the first time she and Kenneth had been separated, since their marriage, and she felt as lonely as the circumstances demanded.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She got up at last and slipped on a dressing-gown, and went out and sat on the platform.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
a Caucasian
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading SETBACKS So the _Torch_ slipped down the lagoon like a picture, and Nai and the other ladies completed their laundry operations, and in due course the red sun dropped into the sea, without the explosive hiss which seemed inevitable, and night fell on the little community as peacefully as usual.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Evans conducted their evening service, and the attentive ring of brown men and women round the platform of the house hummed the tunes gaily, echoed the white "Amen" with the gusto of children after a long sermon, and dispersed like big bumble-bees to their homes.
