decipher
verb (used with object)
to make out the meaning of (poor or partially obliterated writing, etc.).
had been deciphering
-
past perfect progressiveof decipher.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 weeks before, her year five class had been deciphering the word - meaning made lazy or idle - in one of Shakespeare's plays.
From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2023
This was the story I had been deciphering in a back room of a country inn, overlooking a cabbage garden.
From The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan
The urn stood in a handy place of honor upon the desk itself as the Dean had been deciphering the inscriptions upon it.
From Kit of Greenacre Farm by Izola L. (Izola Louise) Forrester
He determined to begin first with the despatch which he had been deciphering.
From Tales and Novels — Volume 07 by Maria Edgeworth
