paw
noun
the foot of an animal having claws.
had been pawing
-
past perfect progressiveof paw.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.
“Ready, Frolic?” she called, and the puppy scampered to her from the bushes where he had been pawing at a rodent’s hole.
From "Messenger" by Lois Lowry
I said I had been pawing in the valley, and that this was not the right valley to paw in.
From Hildegarde's Harvest by Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards
A man in civilian clothes, who had been pawing over a table, suddenly held up a newspaper.
From Tales of the Jazz Age by F. Scott (Francis Scott) Fitzgerald
The animal which had been pawing impatiently settled into bronze immobility at his touch.
From The Trail of Conflict by Emilie Baker Loring
In their pressure-suits they had been pawing through the tangled wreckage for some time, and young Vinson was tired when he made his report.
From The Stars, My Brothers by Virgil Finlay
