cower
verb (used without object)
to crouch, as in fear or shame.
had been cowering
-
past perfect progressiveof cower.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 months ago all Europe had been cowering in confused alarm before the shadow of a new Roman empire.
From The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 10 by John Rudd
Arthur had been cowering in his suitcase, but now his eyestalk peeped out and the rattling and clattering from that typewriter sounded like the Battle of the Bulge.
From The Knights of Arthur by Frederik Pohl
While the senate was debating in such uncertainty, the pretorians discovered Claudius in a corner of the imperial palace, where he had been cowering through fear lest he too be killed.
From The Women of the Caesars by Guglielmo Ferrero
They knew that without doubt he had been cowering close to the ground in mortal fear the whole time, for Uncle Toby had little reputation for bravery.
From The Outdoor Chums The First Tour of the Rod, Gun and Camera Club by Quincy Allen
No doubt she had been cowering over p. 259her peat fire, for if she had emitted smoke by her breath and through every pore, the odour could not have been stronger.
From Recollections of a Tour Made in Scotland A.D. 1803 by John Campbell Shairp
