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The Infant's Skull
The Infant's Skull

Chapter II

Cover illustration for The Infant's Skull
Context Illustration Reading 1/14 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE IDIOT.
Among the household serfs of the royal domain of Compiegne was a young lad of eighteen named Yvon.
Since the death of his father, a forester serf, he lived with his grandmother, the washerwoman for the castle, who had received permission from the bailiff to keep her grandson near her.
Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.
The King himself, Louis the Do-nothing, amused himself occasionally with the foolish pranks of the young serf.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Infant's Skull

Chapter II

Reading 1/14 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE IDIOT.
Line 2
Among the household serfs of the royal domain of Compiegne was a young lad of eighteen named Yvon.
Line 3
Since the death of his father, a forester serf, he lived with his grandmother, the washerwoman for the castle, who had received permission from the bailiff to keep her grandson near her.
Line 4
Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.
Line 5
The King himself, Louis the Do-nothing, amused himself occasionally with the foolish pranks of the young serf.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “Among the household serfs of the royal domain of Compiegne was a young lad of eighteen named Yvon.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “The King himself, Louis the Do-nothing, amused himself occasionally with the foolish pranks of the young serf.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.”

Name noun US /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “Since the death of his father, a forester serf, he lived with his grandmother, the washerwoman for the castle, who had received permission from the bailiff to keep her grandson near her.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.”

All words in this reading · 73

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Among the household serfs of the royal domain of Compiegne was a young lad of eighteen named Yvon.

all

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

From this reading Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.

AmongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Among the household serfs of the royal domain of Compiegne was a young lad of eighteen named Yvon.

amused

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

From this reading The King himself, Louis the Do-nothing, amused himself occasionally with the foolish pranks of the young serf.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.

bailiff

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

From this reading Since the death of his father, a forester serf, he lived with his grandmother, the washerwoman for the castle, who had received permission from the bailiff to keep her grandson near her.

became

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

From this reading Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.

butt

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

From this reading Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.

Calf

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

From this reading Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.

castle

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

From this reading Since the death of his father, a forester serf, he lived with his grandmother, the washerwoman for the castle, who had received permission from the bailiff to keep her grandson near her.

Compiegne

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

From this reading Among the household serfs of the royal domain of Compiegne was a young lad of eighteen named Yvon.

death

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

From this reading Since the death of his father, a forester serf, he lived with his grandmother, the washerwoman for the castle, who had received permission from the bailiff to keep her grandson near her.

Do-nothing

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

From this reading The King himself, Louis the Do-nothing, amused himself occasionally with the foolish pranks of the young serf.

domain

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

From this reading Among the household serfs of the royal domain of Compiegne was a young lad of eighteen named Yvon.

eighteen

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

From this reading Among the household serfs of the royal domain of Compiegne was a young lad of eighteen named Yvon.

employed

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

From this reading Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.

father

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

From this reading Since the death of his father, a forester serf, he lived with his grandmother, the washerwoman for the castle, who had received permission from the bailiff to keep her grandson near her.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.

foolish

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

From this reading The King himself, Louis the Do-nothing, amused himself occasionally with the foolish pranks of the young serf.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Since the death of his father, a forester serf, he lived with his grandmother, the washerwoman for the castle, who had received permission from the bailiff to keep her grandson near her.

forester

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

From this reading Since the death of his father, a forester serf, he lived with his grandmother, the washerwoman for the castle, who had received permission from the bailiff to keep her grandson near her.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Since the death of his father, a forester serf, he lived with his grandmother, the washerwoman for the castle, who had received permission from the bailiff to keep her grandson near her.

grandmother

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

From this reading Since the death of his father, a forester serf, he lived with his grandmother, the washerwoman for the castle, who had received permission from the bailiff to keep her grandson near her.

grandson

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

From this reading Since the death of his father, a forester serf, he lived with his grandmother, the washerwoman for the castle, who had received permission from the bailiff to keep her grandson near her.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Since the death of his father, a forester serf, he lived with his grandmother, the washerwoman for the castle, who had received permission from the bailiff to keep her grandson near her.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Since the death of his father, a forester serf, he lived with his grandmother, the washerwoman for the castle, who had received permission from the bailiff to keep her grandson near her.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Since the death of his father, a forester serf, he lived with his grandmother, the washerwoman for the castle, who had received permission from the bailiff to keep her grandson near her.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading The King himself, Louis the Do-nothing, amused himself occasionally with the foolish pranks of the young serf.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Since the death of his father, a forester serf, he lived with his grandmother, the washerwoman for the castle, who had received permission from the bailiff to keep her grandson near her.

household

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

From this reading Among the household serfs of the royal domain of Compiegne was a young lad of eighteen named Yvon.

IDIOT

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

From this reading THE IDIOT.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.

keep

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

From this reading Since the death of his father, a forester serf, he lived with his grandmother, the washerwoman for the castle, who had received permission from the bailiff to keep her grandson near her.

King

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

From this reading The King himself, Louis the Do-nothing, amused himself occasionally with the foolish pranks of the young serf.

lad

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

From this reading Among the household serfs of the royal domain of Compiegne was a young lad of eighteen named Yvon.

lived

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

From this reading Since the death of his father, a forester serf, he lived with his grandmother, the washerwoman for the castle, who had received permission from the bailiff to keep her grandson near her.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.

Louis

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

From this reading The King himself, Louis the Do-nothing, amused himself occasionally with the foolish pranks of the young serf.

namenounUS /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.

named

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

From this reading Among the household serfs of the royal domain of Compiegne was a young lad of eighteen named Yvon.

near

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

From this reading Since the death of his father, a forester serf, he lived with his grandmother, the washerwoman for the castle, who had received permission from the bailiff to keep her grandson near her.

occasionally

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

From this reading The King himself, Louis the Do-nothing, amused himself occasionally with the foolish pranks of the young serf.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Among the household serfs of the royal domain of Compiegne was a young lad of eighteen named Yvon.

permission

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

From this reading Since the death of his father, a forester serf, he lived with his grandmother, the washerwoman for the castle, who had received permission from the bailiff to keep her grandson near her.

pranks

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

From this reading The King himself, Louis the Do-nothing, amused himself occasionally with the foolish pranks of the young serf.

presently

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

From this reading Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.

received

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

From this reading Since the death of his father, a forester serf, he lived with his grandmother, the washerwoman for the castle, who had received permission from the bailiff to keep her grandson near her.

royal

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

From this reading Among the household serfs of the royal domain of Compiegne was a young lad of eighteen named Yvon.

serf

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

From this reading Since the death of his father, a forester serf, he lived with his grandmother, the washerwoman for the castle, who had received permission from the bailiff to keep her grandson near her.

serfs

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

From this reading Among the household serfs of the royal domain of Compiegne was a young lad of eighteen named Yvon.

SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Since the death of his father, a forester serf, he lived with his grandmother, the washerwoman for the castle, who had received permission from the bailiff to keep her grandson near her.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.

stables

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

From this reading Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.

stupid

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

From this reading Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.

taken

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

From this reading Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE IDIOT.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Since the death of his father, a forester serf, he lived with his grandmother, the washerwoman for the castle, who had received permission from the bailiff to keep her grandson near her.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Among the household serfs of the royal domain of Compiegne was a young lad of eighteen named Yvon.

washerwoman

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

From this reading Since the death of his father, a forester serf, he lived with his grandmother, the washerwoman for the castle, who had received permission from the bailiff to keep her grandson near her.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Since the death of his father, a forester serf, he lived with his grandmother, the washerwoman for the castle, who had received permission from the bailiff to keep her grandson near her.

wild

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

From this reading Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Since the death of his father, a forester serf, he lived with his grandmother, the washerwoman for the castle, who had received permission from the bailiff to keep her grandson near her.

woods

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

From this reading Yvon was at first employed in the stables; but having long lived in the woods, he looked so wild and stupid that he was presently taken for an idiot, went by the name of Yvon the Calf, and became the butt of all.

young

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

From this reading Among the household serfs of the royal domain of Compiegne was a young lad of eighteen named Yvon.

Yvon

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

From this reading Among the household serfs of the royal domain of Compiegne was a young lad of eighteen named Yvon.