filter
noun
any substance, as cloth, paper, porous porcelain, or a layer of charcoal or sand, through which liquid or gas is passed to remove suspended impurities or to recover solids.
had been filtering
-
past perfect progressiveof filter.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.
In 1936 laws were passed to safeguard Iraq's antiquities, which for over a century had been filtering out to the world's great museums.
From Time Magazine Archive
The rumors that had been filtering down the backstretch, whispered in confidence between dockers and horsemen, suddenly became noisy public accusations: Something is wrong with Seabiscuit.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
A rumor had been filtering through the streets for some weeks: a rumor that made some people laugh and others grow silent, as some people scoff at ghosts and others fear them.
From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman
The only light in the room had been filtering through the curtains.
From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull
Through the back of his brain from the first there had been filtering thoughts that were like crouching demons.
From The Sheriff's Son by William MacLeod Raine
