bite
verb (used with object)
to cut, wound, or tear with the teeth.
had been biting
-
past perfect progressiveof bite.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A few of these mosquitoes had blood in their abdomen from a recent meal, which allowed researchers to identify which animals the mosquitoes had been biting.
From Slate ● Dec. 27, 2012
Miss Abigail glanced up at the ceiling, while Lazy Daisy, who had refused to tip the beam for ten years, surreptitiously hid an apple into which she had been biting.
From Old Lady Number 31 by Louise Forsslund
An aggravating fly had been biting her half the morning, and, just as she was drinking at the brook, a frog had jumped up with a cry and bitten her nose.
From St. Nicholas, Vol. 5, No. 4, February 1878 by Various
"Now what's Speed up to?" wondered Coach Brock, who, for the past five minutes had been biting off fingernails at a rapid rate.
From Interference and Other Football Stories by Harold Morrow Sherman
Charles's fingers fumbled rather weakly round his lips, and she saw to her distress that he had been biting his nails again.
From Mummery A Tale of Three Idealists by Gilbert Cannan
