Final answer:
In the provided context, 'CULLED' means that the guard picked out or chose a specific scared little boy from a larger group for a fight to the death.
Step-by-step explanation:
The meaning of the capitalized word CULLED in the context of the sentence 'The guard CULLED a scared little boy out of a large group of boys and men to fight to the death.' implies that the guard selected or chose a specific boy from a larger group with the intent that this boy would engage in deadly combat.
To cull usually means to select or pick out from others (e.g., to cull the best fruit) or to remove individuals from a group based on specific traits, often in the context of reducing or controlling a population. In the given context, "culled" implies a sinister selection process where the guard singled out or chose a specific scared little boy from a larger group for a fight to the death. This term suggests a deliberate and ruthless culling, emphasizing the grim nature of the selection.
The connotation implies a harsh and discriminatory act, indicating the guard's intentional targeting of an individual for a potentially tragic and violent confrontation. The use of "culled" underscores the brutality and inhumanity of the situation, emphasizing the deliberate nature of the guard's actions in selecting a victim from the group.