The literal, "dictionary" definition of a word is its meaning. a connotative b referent c abstract d denotative

The correct answer is D. Denotative

Explanation:

The meaning of a word is the sense a word has or what a word is intended to express, most words had at least a connotative and a denotative meaning but can also have other types of meanings. In the case of the denotative meaning, this refers to the meaning or idea that describes a word and that has been agreed by the speakers of a language, which means the denotative meaning is the general meaning a word has and that is usually listed in dictionaries. This means, the denotative meaning does not depend on the perception or perspective of an individual as in the case of connotative meaning but is mainly universal for all the speakers of a specific language. Thus, the literal "dictionary" definition of a word which is the definition agreed by the speakers of a language is the denotative meaning of words.

the black night was split open like the coconut

it says that it was totally black in the mind of a person but suddenly his mind opened like a coconut with the sweetness of the coconut water and the white color inside it.

or

the black night was thrown like a coconut and it slit apart with its sweet water coming out .

in this text, paine use the word “ye” several times in order to  capture  the  attention of the colonists who   haven't understand the   importance and urgency of his cause. the word "ye" that is the plural of   "thou" is used to call the colonists attention and make the fight for the cause.