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 Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading And nobody, native born to those hills, except his uncle Arch, knew as much about their hidden treasures as little Jason.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

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

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening

From this reading And nobody, native born to those hills, except his uncle Arch, knew as much about their hidden treasures as little Jason.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading And nobody, native born to those hills, except his uncle Arch, knew as much about their hidden treasures as little Jason.

tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

a small ball with a hole through the middle

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

any of numerous small and pulpy edible fruits; used as desserts or in making jams and jellies and preserves

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading Once he had known birds only by sight, but now he knew every calling, twittering, winging soul of them by name.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

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

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

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

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

brought into existence

From this reading And nobody, native born to those hills, except his uncle Arch, knew as much about their hidden treasures as little Jason.

a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Once he had known birds only by sight, but now he knew every calling, twittering, winging soul of them by name.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Once he had known birds only by sight, but now he knew every calling, twittering, winging soul of them by name.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading Once he had known birds only by sight, but now he knew every calling, twittering, winging soul of them by name.

(of hair or feathers) of a golden brown to reddish brown color

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

-ing form of “dart” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

inflected form of “defy” — resist or confront with resistance

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

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

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

cause to move by pulling

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

dreamy in mood or nature

From this reading All this the dreamy stranger had taught him, and much more.

an impression made from an etched plate

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

divisible by two

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Once he had known birds only by sight, but now he knew every calling, twittering, winging soul of them by name.

apart from; not including

From this reading And nobody, native born to those hills, except his uncle Arch, knew as much about their hidden treasures as little Jason.

a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

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

From this reading Once he had known birds only by sight, but now he knew every calling, twittering, winging soul of them by name.

diurnal bird of prey typically having short rounded wings and a long tail

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

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

From this reading Once he had known birds only by sight, but now he knew every calling, twittering, winging soul of them by name.

in a heartless manner

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

valuable tough heavy hardwood from various hickory trees

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

not accessible to view

From this reading And nobody, native born to those hills, except his uncle Arch, knew as much about their hidden treasures as little Jason.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading And nobody, native born to those hills, except his uncle Arch, knew as much about their hidden treasures as little Jason.

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

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

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

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

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

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

in a random manner

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

(Greek mythology) the husband of Medea and leader of the Argonauts who sailed in quest of the Golden Fleece

From this reading And nobody, native born to those hills, except his uncle Arch, knew as much about their hidden treasures as little Jason.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Once he had known birds only by sight, but now he knew every calling, twittering, winging soul of them by name.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Once he had known birds only by sight, but now he knew every calling, twittering, winging soul of them by name.

the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading And nobody, native born to those hills, except his uncle Arch, knew as much about their hidden treasures as little Jason.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

majestic in manner or bearing; superior to mundane matters

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading All this the dreamy stranger had taught him, and much more.

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

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading All this the dreamy stranger had taught him, and much more.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Once he had known birds only by sight, but now he knew every calling, twittering, winging soul of them by name.

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading And nobody, native born to those hills, except his uncle Arch, knew as much about their hidden treasures as little Jason.

no person; not anyone

From this reading And nobody, native born to those hills, except his uncle Arch, knew as much about their hidden treasures as little Jason.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Once he had known birds only by sight, but now he knew every calling, twittering, winging soul of them by name.

plural of “oak” — the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Once he had known birds only by sight, but now he knew every calling, twittering, winging soul of them by name.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

on one occasion

From this reading Once he had known birds only by sight, but now he knew every calling, twittering, winging soul of them by name.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

and nothing more

From this reading Once he had known birds only by sight, but now he knew every calling, twittering, winging soul of them by name.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

being on the outside or further from a center

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

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

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

select carefully from a group

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

put or set (seeds, seedlings, or plants) into the ground

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

soft light-colored non-durable wood of the poplar

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

past form of “prize” — hold dear

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

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

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

steal goods; take as spoils

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

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

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

lift onto one's shoulders

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading Once he had known birds only by sight, but now he knew every calling, twittering, winging soul of them by name.

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading Once he had known birds only by sight, but now he knew every calling, twittering, winging soul of them by name.

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading All this the dreamy stranger had taught him, and much more.

inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading All this the dreamy stranger had taught him, and much more.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

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

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading And nobody, native born to those hills, except his uncle Arch, knew as much about their hidden treasures as little Jason.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Once he had known birds only by sight, but now he knew every calling, twittering, winging soul of them by name.

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

From this reading All this the dreamy stranger had taught him, and much more.

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

From this reading And nobody, native born to those hills, except his uncle Arch, knew as much about their hidden treasures as little Jason.

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

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

plural of “treasure” — accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.

From this reading And nobody, native born to those hills, except his uncle Arch, knew as much about their hidden treasures as little Jason.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

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

From this reading Once he had known birds only by sight, but now he knew every calling, twittering, winging soul of them by name.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading And nobody, native born to those hills, except his uncle Arch, knew as much about their hidden treasures as little Jason.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

nut of any of various walnut trees having a wrinkled two-lobed seed with a hard shell

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

any plant that crowds out cultivated plants

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

sound of something in rapid motion

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

turn in a twisting or spinning motion

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

make whistling sounds

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

a Caucasian

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

-ing form of “wing” — travel through the air; be airborne

From this reading Once he had known birds only by sight, but now he knew every calling, twittering, winging soul of them by name.

a means of flight or ascent

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Once he used to draw bead on one and all heartlessly and indiscriminately with his old rifle, but now only the whistle of a bob-white, the darting of a hawk, or the whir of a pheasant's wings made him whirl the old weapon from his shoulder.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading He knew flower, plant, bush, and weed, the bark and leaf of every tree, and even In winter he could pick them out in the gray etching of a mountain-side--dog-wood, red-bud, "sarvice" berry, hickory, and walnut, the oaks--white, black, and chestnut--the majestic poplar, prized by the outer world, and the black-gum that defied the lightning.