muster
verb (used with object)
to assemble (troops, a ship's crew, etc.), as for battle, display, inspection, orders, or discharge.
had been mustering
-
past perfect progressiveof muster.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.
Participants in the People’s Procession, a march of ten thousand civilians, had been mustering since early morning, with veterans in wheelchairs moving alongside matrons in funereal black.
From The New Yorker ● Nov. 12, 2018
In a recent interview at Avery Fisher Hall, Mr. Gilbert said that the Philharmonic had been mustering the partners and programs for the biennial for two years.
From New York Times ● May 29, 2013
In the meantime the Americans had been mustering from all quarters to Stark's assistance, with such weapons as they had at hand.
From The Student's Life of Washington; Condensed from the Larger Work of Washington Irving For Young Persons and for the Use of Schools by Washington Irving
Indeed, they had long appreciated the fact, that the "irrepressible conflict" in which we are now involved was impending, and had been mustering all their forces to meet the inevitable issue.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 12, No. 74, December, 1863 by Various
During the week Conal had been mustering and branding the cows and calves drafted from the scrub mob.
From The Pioneers by Katharine Susannah Prichard
