patch
noun
a small piece of material used to mend a tear or break, to cover a hole, or to strengthen a weak place.
had been patching
-
past perfect progressiveof patch.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.
Matryona rose, took from the window Simon's old shirt she had been patching, and gave it to the stranger.
From What Men Live By and Other Tales by Aylmer Maude
Moreover, to his great delight, he saw that Anton had been patching it up, so that it was now more serviceable than ever.
From The Boy with the U. S. Weather Men by Francis Rolt-Wheeler
The coat she had been patching for her husband when the Camerons came still lay in her lap, and she had folded her hands upon it.
From Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories, 1902 to 1903 by L. M. (Lucy Maud) Montgomery
There was complete darkness with all belt lights out, but he groped his way to the Connie Dowst had been patching, felt for his helmet, and put his own against it.
From Rip Foster in Ride the Gray Planet by Harold L. (Harold Leland) Goodwin
Ham had been patching up a great pair of waterboots; and I, with little Em'ly by my side, had been reading to them.
From David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
