nibble
verb (used without object)
to bite off small bits.
had been nibbling
-
past perfect progressiveof nibble.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.
Party-goers are ravenous because they had been nibbling only on potato chips, popcorn, chocolate chip cookies and bar mix throughout the three-plus-hour awards show.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 25, 2019
Capital newsmen had been nibbling at the story, but none had said straight out that it was on the President's desk.
From Time Magazine Archive
For most of the week, nearly half the population of England, hoping to forecast the results of Saturday's big-league matches, had been nibbling pencils, marking numerals and crosses on little printed slips.
From Time Magazine Archive
He successfully bids on what he takes to be an Olmec jade mask, realizing only as the hammer falls that none of the authentic dealers had been nibbling.
From Time Magazine Archive
Since her pencil had ceased scribbling the room was so still that a tiny mouse had been nibbling at the toe of her shoe.
From Miss Prudence A Story of Two Girls' Lives. by Jennie (Drinkwater) Conklin Maria
