Chapter XIII

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

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

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

From this reading ALBANS.

(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 Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

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

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

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

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

plural of “arrow” — a mark to indicate a direction or relation

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

relating to or characteristic of art or artists

From this reading That he should have those of his own kith or kin--that he should have personal friends, or benefactors of the past with powerful claims upon him in the present--that he should have obligations to discharge, or debts to pay, or artistic tastes to gratify, never entered the heads of these poor needy people.

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

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

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

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

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

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

plural of “benefactor” — a person who helps people or institutions (especially with financial help)

From this reading That he should have those of his own kith or kin--that he should have personal friends, or benefactors of the past with powerful claims upon him in the present--that he should have obligations to discharge, or debts to pay, or artistic tastes to gratify, never entered the heads of these poor needy people.

that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

the part of the face above the eyes

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

an occurrence of something

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

plural of “claim” — an assertion of a right (as to money or property)

From this reading That he should have those of his own kith or kin--that he should have personal friends, or benefactors of the past with powerful claims upon him in the present--that he should have obligations to discharge, or debts to pay, or artistic tastes to gratify, never entered the heads of these poor needy people.

showing effects of planning or manipulation

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

plural of “debt” — the state of owing something (especially money)

From this reading That he should have those of his own kith or kin--that he should have personal friends, or benefactors of the past with powerful claims upon him in the present--that he should have obligations to discharge, or debts to pay, or artistic tastes to gratify, never entered the heads of these poor needy people.

socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

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

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

complete or carry out

From this reading That he should have those of his own kith or kin--that he should have personal friends, or benefactors of the past with powerful claims upon him in the present--that he should have obligations to discharge, or debts to pay, or artistic tastes to gratify, never entered the heads of these poor needy people.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading That he should have those of his own kith or kin--that he should have personal friends, or benefactors of the past with powerful claims upon him in the present--that he should have obligations to discharge, or debts to pay, or artistic tastes to gratify, never entered the heads of these poor needy people.

divisible by two

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

in harmony with the spirit of particular persons or occasion

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

working for yourself

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading That he should have those of his own kith or kin--that he should have personal friends, or benefactors of the past with powerful claims upon him in the present--that he should have obligations to discharge, or debts to pay, or artistic tastes to gratify, never entered the heads of these poor needy people.

yet to be or coming

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

make happy or satisfied

From this reading That he should have those of his own kith or kin--that he should have personal friends, or benefactors of the past with powerful claims upon him in the present--that he should have obligations to discharge, or debts to pay, or artistic tastes to gratify, never entered the heads of these poor needy people.

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

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

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

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading That he should have those of his own kith or kin--that he should have personal friends, or benefactors of the past with powerful claims upon him in the present--that he should have obligations to discharge, or debts to pay, or artistic tastes to gratify, never entered the heads of these poor needy people.

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

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

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

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

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

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

marked by casual disrespect

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

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

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

the financial gain (earned or unearned) accruing over a given period of time

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

a person having kinship with another or others

From this reading That he should have those of his own kith or kin--that he should have personal friends, or benefactors of the past with powerful claims upon him in the present--that he should have obligations to discharge, or debts to pay, or artistic tastes to gratify, never entered the heads of these poor needy people.

your friends and acquaintances

From this reading That he should have those of his own kith or kin--that he should have personal friends, or benefactors of the past with powerful claims upon him in the present--that he should have obligations to discharge, or debts to pay, or artistic tastes to gratify, never entered the heads of these poor needy people.

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

the literary culture

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

attach a tag or label to

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

the force of workers available

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading MISS ST.

preside over

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

a form of address for a man

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

poor enough to need help from others

From this reading That he should have those of his own kith or kin--that he should have personal friends, or benefactors of the past with powerful claims upon him in the present--that he should have obligations to discharge, or debts to pay, or artistic tastes to gratify, never entered the heads of these poor needy people.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

plural of “obligation” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading That he should have those of his own kith or kin--that he should have personal friends, or benefactors of the past with powerful claims upon him in the present--that he should have obligations to discharge, or debts to pay, or artistic tastes to gratify, never entered the heads of these poor needy people.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading That he should have those of his own kith or kin--that he should have personal friends, or benefactors of the past with powerful claims upon him in the present--that he should have obligations to discharge, or debts to pay, or artistic tastes to gratify, never entered the heads of these poor needy people.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading That he should have those of his own kith or kin--that he should have personal friends, or benefactors of the past with powerful claims upon him in the present--that he should have obligations to discharge, or debts to pay, or artistic tastes to gratify, never entered the heads of these poor needy people.

give money, usually in exchange for goods or services

From this reading That he should have those of his own kith or kin--that he should have personal friends, or benefactors of the past with powerful claims upon him in the present--that he should have obligations to discharge, or debts to pay, or artistic tastes to gratify, never entered the heads of these poor needy people.

not having enough money to pay for necessities

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading That he should have those of his own kith or kin--that he should have personal friends, or benefactors of the past with powerful claims upon him in the present--that he should have obligations to discharge, or debts to pay, or artistic tastes to gratify, never entered the heads of these poor needy people.

concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality

From this reading That he should have those of his own kith or kin--that he should have personal friends, or benefactors of the past with powerful claims upon him in the present--that he should have obligations to discharge, or debts to pay, or artistic tastes to gratify, never entered the heads of these poor needy people.

inspiring mixed contempt and pity

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading That he should have those of his own kith or kin--that he should have personal friends, or benefactors of the past with powerful claims upon him in the present--that he should have obligations to discharge, or debts to pay, or artistic tastes to gratify, never entered the heads of these poor needy people.

having great power or force or potency or effect

From this reading That he should have those of his own kith or kin--that he should have personal friends, or benefactors of the past with powerful claims upon him in the present--that he should have obligations to discharge, or debts to pay, or artistic tastes to gratify, never entered the heads of these poor needy people.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

a stipulated condition

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

plural of “request” — a formal message requesting something that is submitted to an authority

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

get by special effort

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading That he should have those of his own kith or kin--that he should have personal friends, or benefactors of the past with powerful claims upon him in the present--that he should have obligations to discharge, or debts to pay, or artistic tastes to gratify, never entered the heads of these poor needy people.

with speed

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

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

From this reading MISS ST.

salty fluid secreted by sweat glands

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

plural of “taste” — the sensation that results when taste buds in the tongue and throat convey information about the chemical composition of a soluble stimulus

From this reading That he should have those of his own kith or kin--that he should have personal friends, or benefactors of the past with powerful claims upon him in the present--that he should have obligations to discharge, or debts to pay, or artistic tastes to gratify, never entered the heads of these poor needy people.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

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

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading That he should have those of his own kith or kin--that he should have personal friends, or benefactors of the past with powerful claims upon him in the present--that he should have obligations to discharge, or debts to pay, or artistic tastes to gratify, never entered the heads of these poor needy people.

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

From this reading That he should have those of his own kith or kin--that he should have personal friends, or benefactors of the past with powerful claims upon him in the present--that he should have obligations to discharge, or debts to pay, or artistic tastes to gratify, never entered the heads of these poor needy people.

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

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading That he should have those of his own kith or kin--that he should have personal friends, or benefactors of the past with powerful claims upon him in the present--that he should have obligations to discharge, or debts to pay, or artistic tastes to gratify, never entered the heads of these poor needy people.

a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

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

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

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

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

which person or people

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

belonging to which person

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

in the company of; together with

From this reading That he should have those of his own kith or kin--that he should have personal friends, or benefactors of the past with powerful claims upon him in the present--that he should have obligations to discharge, or debts to pay, or artistic tastes to gratify, never entered the heads of these poor needy people.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

actively engaged in paid work

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading AS an individual who, by arduous and unremitting labour--by the sweat of his brow and the ceaseless working of his brain--had contrived to secure for himself a decent income in the present and a moderate provision for the future, Mr. Desmond was of course a fitting mark for the arrows of that free-lance of modern civilization--the begging-letter writer.

inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading Men and women whose faces he had never seen wrote him pitiful letters, or impudent letters, as the case might be, urging requests which, if all or even half of them had been granted, would speedily have left him penniless.