Four aliens returned without a word (4-1-4)
I believe the answer is:
tete-a-tete
'word' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for tete-a-tete that I've seen before include "Informal chat" , "Private couple's conversation" , "Private conversation between two French people" , "Private meeting" , "One-to-one meeting" .)