crop
noun
the cultivated produce of the ground, while growing or when gathered.
had been cropping
-
past perfect progressiveof crop.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.
Open-carry demonstrations had been cropping up in conservative states since the 2008 election, typically with holstered pistols, but Grisham’s group pushed a new tactic.
From Washington Post
That part of the field hadn't been ploughed, and the ground was rather hard, covered with grass the cattle had been cropping.
From The Happy Adventurers by Lydia Miller Middleton
The other pony, who had been cropping the grass, moved off a short distance.
From Cowboy Dave by Frank V. Webster
As they stood there, the horse, which had been cropping in a perfunctory manner at the short grass by the roadside, raised its head, and neighed impatiently.
From The Intrusion of Jimmy by P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse
Before he approached it a hind and her calf had been cropping the grass between the cracks of the altar-steps; all else was very still, yet had a feeling of habitancy and familiar use.
From The Forest Lovers by Maurice Henry Hewlett
