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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Beyond her were two slaves tending a fire beneath two large calabashes, preparatory to the brewing of banana beer, which had of course to be done by the chief widow, Bakuma’s half-sister’s mother.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The mind of Bakuma was occupied by percepts of the charms of Zalu Zako; particularly as memorised on that afternoon by the river when the effect of the love charm had begun to work.
amulet
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From this reading From her slender neck swung the precious amulet at which, as if to reassure herself of its safety, she clutched occasionally.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading From her slender neck swung the precious amulet at which, as if to reassure herself of its safety, she clutched occasionally.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading From her slender neck swung the precious amulet at which, as if to reassure herself of its safety, she clutched occasionally.
Bakuma
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From this reading Bakuma sat in the shade of the reed fence preparing the evening meal of boiled bananas.
Bakuma's
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From this reading Beyond her were two slaves tending a fire beneath two large calabashes, preparatory to the brewing of banana beer, which had of course to be done by the chief widow, Bakuma’s half-sister’s mother.
banana
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beyond her were two slaves tending a fire beneath two large calabashes, preparatory to the brewing of banana beer, which had of course to be done by the chief widow, Bakuma’s half-sister’s mother.
bananas
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From this reading Bakuma sat in the shade of the reed fence preparing the evening meal of boiled bananas.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Beyond her were two slaves tending a fire beneath two large calabashes, preparatory to the brewing of banana beer, which had of course to be done by the chief widow, Bakuma’s half-sister’s mother.
beer
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From this reading Beyond her were two slaves tending a fire beneath two large calabashes, preparatory to the brewing of banana beer, which had of course to be done by the chief widow, Bakuma’s half-sister’s mother.
begun
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From this reading The mind of Bakuma was occupied by percepts of the charms of Zalu Zako; particularly as memorised on that afternoon by the river when the effect of the love charm had begun to work.
belly
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From this reading Her half-sister, who had not yet passed through the initiation at maturity, sprawled upon her belly in the dwindling rays of the sun, scratching her woolly head.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Beyond her were two slaves tending a fire beneath two large calabashes, preparatory to the brewing of banana beer, which had of course to be done by the chief widow, Bakuma’s half-sister’s mother.
BeyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Beyond her were two slaves tending a fire beneath two large calabashes, preparatory to the brewing of banana beer, which had of course to be done by the chief widow, Bakuma’s half-sister’s mother.
boiled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bakuma sat in the shade of the reed fence preparing the evening meal of boiled bananas.
brewing
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From this reading Beyond her were two slaves tending a fire beneath two large calabashes, preparatory to the brewing of banana beer, which had of course to be done by the chief widow, Bakuma’s half-sister’s mother.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Beyond her were two slaves tending a fire beneath two large calabashes, preparatory to the brewing of banana beer, which had of course to be done by the chief widow, Bakuma’s half-sister’s mother.
calabashes
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From this reading Beyond her were two slaves tending a fire beneath two large calabashes, preparatory to the brewing of banana beer, which had of course to be done by the chief widow, Bakuma’s half-sister’s mother.
charm
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From this reading The mind of Bakuma was occupied by percepts of the charms of Zalu Zako; particularly as memorised on that afternoon by the river when the effect of the love charm had begun to work.
charms
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From this reading The mind of Bakuma was occupied by percepts of the charms of Zalu Zako; particularly as memorised on that afternoon by the river when the effect of the love charm had begun to work.
chief
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From this reading Beyond her were two slaves tending a fire beneath two large calabashes, preparatory to the brewing of banana beer, which had of course to be done by the chief widow, Bakuma’s half-sister’s mother.
clutched
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From this reading From her slender neck swung the precious amulet at which, as if to reassure herself of its safety, she clutched occasionally.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Beyond her were two slaves tending a fire beneath two large calabashes, preparatory to the brewing of banana beer, which had of course to be done by the chief widow, Bakuma’s half-sister’s mother.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Beyond her were two slaves tending a fire beneath two large calabashes, preparatory to the brewing of banana beer, which had of course to be done by the chief widow, Bakuma’s half-sister’s mother.
dwindling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her half-sister, who had not yet passed through the initiation at maturity, sprawled upon her belly in the dwindling rays of the sun, scratching her woolly head.
effect
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From this reading The mind of Bakuma was occupied by percepts of the charms of Zalu Zako; particularly as memorised on that afternoon by the river when the effect of the love charm had begun to work.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bakuma sat in the shade of the reed fence preparing the evening meal of boiled bananas.
fence
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From this reading Bakuma sat in the shade of the reed fence preparing the evening meal of boiled bananas.
fire
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From this reading Beyond her were two slaves tending a fire beneath two large calabashes, preparatory to the brewing of banana beer, which had of course to be done by the chief widow, Bakuma’s half-sister’s mother.
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From her slender neck swung the precious amulet at which, as if to reassure herself of its safety, she clutched occasionally.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her half-sister, who had not yet passed through the initiation at maturity, sprawled upon her belly in the dwindling rays of the sun, scratching her woolly head.
half-sister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her half-sister, who had not yet passed through the initiation at maturity, sprawled upon her belly in the dwindling rays of the sun, scratching her woolly head.
half-sister's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beyond her were two slaves tending a fire beneath two large calabashes, preparatory to the brewing of banana beer, which had of course to be done by the chief widow, Bakuma’s half-sister’s mother.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her half-sister, who had not yet passed through the initiation at maturity, sprawled upon her belly in the dwindling rays of the sun, scratching her woolly head.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading From her slender neck swung the precious amulet at which, as if to reassure herself of its safety, she clutched occasionally.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading From her slender neck swung the precious amulet at which, as if to reassure herself of its safety, she clutched occasionally.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading From her slender neck swung the precious amulet at which, as if to reassure herself of its safety, she clutched occasionally.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Bakuma sat in the shade of the reed fence preparing the evening meal of boiled bananas.
initiation
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From this reading Her half-sister, who had not yet passed through the initiation at maturity, sprawled upon her belly in the dwindling rays of the sun, scratching her woolly head.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading From her slender neck swung the precious amulet at which, as if to reassure herself of its safety, she clutched occasionally.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beyond her were two slaves tending a fire beneath two large calabashes, preparatory to the brewing of banana beer, which had of course to be done by the chief widow, Bakuma’s half-sister’s mother.
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mind of Bakuma was occupied by percepts of the charms of Zalu Zako; particularly as memorised on that afternoon by the river when the effect of the love charm had begun to work.
maturity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her half-sister, who had not yet passed through the initiation at maturity, sprawled upon her belly in the dwindling rays of the sun, scratching her woolly head.
meal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bakuma sat in the shade of the reed fence preparing the evening meal of boiled bananas.
memorised
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From this reading The mind of Bakuma was occupied by percepts of the charms of Zalu Zako; particularly as memorised on that afternoon by the river when the effect of the love charm had begun to work.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The mind of Bakuma was occupied by percepts of the charms of Zalu Zako; particularly as memorised on that afternoon by the river when the effect of the love charm had begun to work.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beyond her were two slaves tending a fire beneath two large calabashes, preparatory to the brewing of banana beer, which had of course to be done by the chief widow, Bakuma’s half-sister’s mother.
neck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From her slender neck swung the precious amulet at which, as if to reassure herself of its safety, she clutched occasionally.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Her half-sister, who had not yet passed through the initiation at maturity, sprawled upon her belly in the dwindling rays of the sun, scratching her woolly head.
occasionally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From her slender neck swung the precious amulet at which, as if to reassure herself of its safety, she clutched occasionally.
occupied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mind of Bakuma was occupied by percepts of the charms of Zalu Zako; particularly as memorised on that afternoon by the river when the effect of the love charm had begun to work.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Bakuma sat in the shade of the reed fence preparing the evening meal of boiled bananas.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The mind of Bakuma was occupied by percepts of the charms of Zalu Zako; particularly as memorised on that afternoon by the river when the effect of the love charm had begun to work.
particularly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mind of Bakuma was occupied by percepts of the charms of Zalu Zako; particularly as memorised on that afternoon by the river when the effect of the love charm had begun to work.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her half-sister, who had not yet passed through the initiation at maturity, sprawled upon her belly in the dwindling rays of the sun, scratching her woolly head.
percepts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mind of Bakuma was occupied by percepts of the charms of Zalu Zako; particularly as memorised on that afternoon by the river when the effect of the love charm had begun to work.
preciousadjectiveUS /ˈpreʃəs/
rare and worth a great deal
From this reading From her slender neck swung the precious amulet at which, as if to reassure herself of its safety, she clutched occasionally.
preparatory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beyond her were two slaves tending a fire beneath two large calabashes, preparatory to the brewing of banana beer, which had of course to be done by the chief widow, Bakuma’s half-sister’s mother.
preparing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bakuma sat in the shade of the reed fence preparing the evening meal of boiled bananas.
rays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her half-sister, who had not yet passed through the initiation at maturity, sprawled upon her belly in the dwindling rays of the sun, scratching her woolly head.
reassure
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From this reading From her slender neck swung the precious amulet at which, as if to reassure herself of its safety, she clutched occasionally.
reed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bakuma sat in the shade of the reed fence preparing the evening meal of boiled bananas.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mind of Bakuma was occupied by percepts of the charms of Zalu Zako; particularly as memorised on that afternoon by the river when the effect of the love charm had begun to work.
safety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From her slender neck swung the precious amulet at which, as if to reassure herself of its safety, she clutched occasionally.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bakuma sat in the shade of the reed fence preparing the evening meal of boiled bananas.
scratching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her half-sister, who had not yet passed through the initiation at maturity, sprawled upon her belly in the dwindling rays of the sun, scratching her woolly head.
shade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bakuma sat in the shade of the reed fence preparing the evening meal of boiled bananas.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From her slender neck swung the precious amulet at which, as if to reassure herself of its safety, she clutched occasionally.
slaves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beyond her were two slaves tending a fire beneath two large calabashes, preparatory to the brewing of banana beer, which had of course to be done by the chief widow, Bakuma’s half-sister’s mother.
slender
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From her slender neck swung the precious amulet at which, as if to reassure herself of its safety, she clutched occasionally.
sprawled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her half-sister, who had not yet passed through the initiation at maturity, sprawled upon her belly in the dwindling rays of the sun, scratching her woolly head.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her half-sister, who had not yet passed through the initiation at maturity, sprawled upon her belly in the dwindling rays of the sun, scratching her woolly head.
swung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From her slender neck swung the precious amulet at which, as if to reassure herself of its safety, she clutched occasionally.
tending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beyond her were two slaves tending a fire beneath two large calabashes, preparatory to the brewing of banana beer, which had of course to be done by the chief widow, Bakuma’s half-sister’s mother.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The mind of Bakuma was occupied by percepts of the charms of Zalu Zako; particularly as memorised on that afternoon by the river when the effect of the love charm had begun to work.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Bakuma sat in the shade of the reed fence preparing the evening meal of boiled bananas.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Her half-sister, who had not yet passed through the initiation at maturity, sprawled upon her belly in the dwindling rays of the sun, scratching her woolly head.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading From her slender neck swung the precious amulet at which, as if to reassure herself of its safety, she clutched occasionally.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beyond her were two slaves tending a fire beneath two large calabashes, preparatory to the brewing of banana beer, which had of course to be done by the chief widow, Bakuma’s half-sister’s mother.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Her half-sister, who had not yet passed through the initiation at maturity, sprawled upon her belly in the dwindling rays of the sun, scratching her woolly head.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The mind of Bakuma was occupied by percepts of the charms of Zalu Zako; particularly as memorised on that afternoon by the river when the effect of the love charm had begun to work.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Beyond her were two slaves tending a fire beneath two large calabashes, preparatory to the brewing of banana beer, which had of course to be done by the chief widow, Bakuma’s half-sister’s mother.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The mind of Bakuma was occupied by percepts of the charms of Zalu Zako; particularly as memorised on that afternoon by the river when the effect of the love charm had begun to work.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading From her slender neck swung the precious amulet at which, as if to reassure herself of its safety, she clutched occasionally.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Her half-sister, who had not yet passed through the initiation at maturity, sprawled upon her belly in the dwindling rays of the sun, scratching her woolly head.
widow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beyond her were two slaves tending a fire beneath two large calabashes, preparatory to the brewing of banana beer, which had of course to be done by the chief widow, Bakuma’s half-sister’s mother.
woolly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her half-sister, who had not yet passed through the initiation at maturity, sprawled upon her belly in the dwindling rays of the sun, scratching her woolly head.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mind of Bakuma was occupied by percepts of the charms of Zalu Zako; particularly as memorised on that afternoon by the river when the effect of the love charm had begun to work.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Her half-sister, who had not yet passed through the initiation at maturity, sprawled upon her belly in the dwindling rays of the sun, scratching her woolly head.
Zako
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mind of Bakuma was occupied by percepts of the charms of Zalu Zako; particularly as memorised on that afternoon by the river when the effect of the love charm had begun to work.
Zalu
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mind of Bakuma was occupied by percepts of the charms of Zalu Zako; particularly as memorised on that afternoon by the river when the effect of the love charm had begun to work.
