fondle
verb (used with object)
to handle or touch lovingly, affectionately, or tenderly; caress.
had been fondling
-
past perfect progressiveof fondle.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.
For a moment he seemed to forget the dog he had been fondling, as well as the handsome woman to whom he had been speaking.
From The Coming of the King by James Hocking
Yet it might have made no difference, for he had been fondling and smoothing that fatal curl all the time we were talking over the letter.
From My Young Alcides by Charlotte Mary Yonge
"Here, Grace, hold her head while I fetch water," and while Grace attempted to support the head Madaline had been fondling, Mary raised it with a look of unspeakable joy.
From The Girl Scouts at Bellaire Or Maid Mary's Awakening by Lilian Garis
He had been fondling the outside of his coat furtively, locating his check-book.
From The Landloper by Holman Day
