Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading For a few minutes he stood outside the palings, trying to choke down an abominable lump in his throat.

unequivocally detestable

From this reading For a few minutes he stood outside the palings, trying to choke down an abominable lump in his throat.

quickly and without warning

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

having companions or an escort

From this reading A master from his preparatory school accompanied him, an Etonian, who had stared rather superciliously--so John thought--at buildings less venerable than those which Henry VI. raised near Windsor.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading For a few minutes he stood outside the palings, trying to choke down an abominable lump in his throat.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

past form of “ascend” — travel up

From this reading At the end of the previous term, he had ascended the Hill to pass the entrance examination.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At the end of the previous term, he had ascended the Hill to pass the entrance examination.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

the past participle of “be”

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading A master from his preparatory school accompanied him, an Etonian, who had stared rather superciliously--so John thought--at buildings less venerable than those which Henry VI. raised near Windsor.

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

breathe with great difficulty, as when experiencing a strong emotion

From this reading For a few minutes he stood outside the palings, trying to choke down an abominable lump in his throat.

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

intentionally conceived

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

strikingly different; tending to contrast

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading For a few minutes he stood outside the palings, trying to choke down an abominable lump in his throat.

in an effusive manner

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading At the end of the previous term, he had ascended the Hill to pass the entrance examination.

something that provides access (to get in or get out)

From this reading At the end of the previous term, he had ascended the Hill to pass the entrance examination.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

a student enrolled in (or graduated from) Eton College

From this reading A master from his preparatory school accompanied him, an Etonian, who had stared rather superciliously--so John thought--at buildings less venerable than those which Henry VI. raised near Windsor.

the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)

From this reading At the end of the previous term, he had ascended the Hill to pass the entrance examination.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading For a few minutes he stood outside the palings, trying to choke down an abominable lump in his throat.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading This was not his first visit to Harrow.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For a few minutes he stood outside the palings, trying to choke down an abominable lump in his throat.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A master from his preparatory school accompanied him, an Etonian, who had stared rather superciliously--so John thought--at buildings less venerable than those which Henry VI. raised near Windsor.

-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

a man of refinement

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading At the end of the previous term, he had ascended the Hill to pass the entrance examination.

draw a harrow over

From this reading This was not his first visit to Harrow.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading For a few minutes he stood outside the palings, trying to choke down an abominable lump in his throat.

a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second

From this reading A master from his preparatory school accompanied him, an Etonian, who had stared rather superciliously--so John thought--at buildings less venerable than those which Henry VI. raised near Windsor.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading At the end of the previous term, he had ascended the Hill to pass the entrance examination.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading A master from his preparatory school accompanied him, an Etonian, who had stared rather superciliously--so John thought--at buildings less venerable than those which Henry VI. raised near Windsor.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading For a few minutes he stood outside the palings, trying to choke down an abominable lump in his throat.

the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading For a few minutes he stood outside the palings, trying to choke down an abominable lump in his throat.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading A master from his preparatory school accompanied him, an Etonian, who had stared rather superciliously--so John thought--at buildings less venerable than those which Henry VI. raised near Windsor.

possessive form of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading A master from his preparatory school accompanied him, an Etonian, who had stared rather superciliously--so John thought--at buildings less venerable than those which Henry VI. raised near Windsor.

a compact mass

From this reading For a few minutes he stood outside the palings, trying to choke down an abominable lump in his throat.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading A master from his preparatory school accompanied him, an Etonian, who had stared rather superciliously--so John thought--at buildings less venerable than those which Henry VI. raised near Windsor.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading For a few minutes he stood outside the palings, trying to choke down an abominable lump in his throat.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading A master from his preparatory school accompanied him, an Etonian, who had stared rather superciliously--so John thought--at buildings less venerable than those which Henry VI. raised near Windsor.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading This was not his first visit to Harrow.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At the end of the previous term, he had ascended the Hill to pass the entrance examination.

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading For a few minutes he stood outside the palings, trying to choke down an abominable lump in his throat.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For a few minutes he stood outside the palings, trying to choke down an abominable lump in his throat.

go across or through

From this reading At the end of the previous term, he had ascended the Hill to pass the entrance examination.

plural of “perception” — the representation of what is perceived; basic component in the formation of a concept

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

plural of “plain” — extensive tract of level open land

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

preceding and preparing for something

From this reading A master from his preparatory school accompanied him, an Etonian, who had stared rather superciliously--so John thought--at buildings less venerable than those which Henry VI. raised near Windsor.

just preceding something else in time or order

From this reading At the end of the previous term, he had ascended the Hill to pass the entrance examination.

located or moved above the surround or above the normal position

From this reading A master from his preparatory school accompanied him, an Etonian, who had stared rather superciliously--so John thought--at buildings less venerable than those which Henry VI. raised near Windsor.

on the contrary

From this reading A master from his preparatory school accompanied him, an Etonian, who had stared rather superciliously--so John thought--at buildings less venerable than those which Henry VI. raised near Windsor.

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

express in words

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

an educational institution

From this reading A master from his preparatory school accompanied him, an Etonian, who had stared rather superciliously--so John thought--at buildings less venerable than those which Henry VI. raised near Windsor.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

term of address for a man

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading A master from his preparatory school accompanied him, an Etonian, who had stared rather superciliously--so John thought--at buildings less venerable than those which Henry VI. raised near Windsor.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading A master from his preparatory school accompanied him, an Etonian, who had stared rather superciliously--so John thought--at buildings less venerable than those which Henry VI. raised near Windsor.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading For a few minutes he stood outside the palings, trying to choke down an abominable lump in his throat.

with a sneer; in an uncomplimentary sneering manner

From this reading A master from his preparatory school accompanied him, an Etonian, who had stared rather superciliously--so John thought--at buildings less venerable than those which Henry VI. raised near Windsor.

a word or expression used for some particular thing

From this reading At the end of the previous term, he had ascended the Hill to pass the entrance examination.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading A master from his preparatory school accompanied him, an Etonian, who had stared rather superciliously--so John thought--at buildings less venerable than those which Henry VI. raised near Windsor.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading For a few minutes he stood outside the palings, trying to choke down an abominable lump in his throat.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This was not his first visit to Harrow.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading A master from his preparatory school accompanied him, an Etonian, who had stared rather superciliously--so John thought--at buildings less venerable than those which Henry VI. raised near Windsor.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading A master from his preparatory school accompanied him, an Etonian, who had stared rather superciliously--so John thought--at buildings less venerable than those which Henry VI. raised near Windsor.

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

The passage at the back of the mouth.

From this reading For a few minutes he stood outside the palings, trying to choke down an abominable lump in his throat.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading For a few minutes he stood outside the palings, trying to choke down an abominable lump in his throat.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

hard to endure

From this reading For a few minutes he stood outside the palings, trying to choke down an abominable lump in his throat.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

impressive by reason of age

From this reading A master from his preparatory school accompanied him, an Etonian, who had stared rather superciliously--so John thought--at buildings less venerable than those which Henry VI. raised near Windsor.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading A master from his preparatory school accompanied him, an Etonian, who had stared rather superciliously--so John thought--at buildings less venerable than those which Henry VI. raised near Windsor.

go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading This was not his first visit to Harrow.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading This was not his first visit to Harrow.

at the time that

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

in or at the place that

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading A master from his preparatory school accompanied him, an Etonian, who had stared rather superciliously--so John thought--at buildings less venerable than those which Henry VI. raised near Windsor.

which person or people

From this reading A master from his preparatory school accompanied him, an Etonian, who had stared rather superciliously--so John thought--at buildings less venerable than those which Henry VI. raised near Windsor.

a city in southeastern Ontario on the Detroit River opposite Detroit

From this reading A master from his preparatory school accompanied him, an Etonian, who had stared rather superciliously--so John thought--at buildings less venerable than those which Henry VI. raised near Windsor.

hope for; have a wish

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

in the company of; together with

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

the words that are spoken

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

possessive form of “yeoman” — officer in the (ceremonial) bodyguard of the British monarch

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading John, who had perceptions, was elusively conscious that his companion, too much of a gentleman to give his thoughts words, might be contrasting a yeoman's work with a king's; and when the Etonian, gazing across the plains below to where Windsor lay, a soft shadow upon the horizon, said abruptly, "I wish Eton had been built upon a hill," John replied effusively; "Oh, sir, it _is_ decent of you to say that."