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
A huge travelling chaise already stood in readiness, and four good Flanders horses had been pawing the ground impatiently for the past half hour.
From I Will Repay by Emmuska Orczy, Baroness Orczy
Swiftly Gramps approached the place where the buck had been pawing, for the giant beech trees were widely separated and there was no brush to obscure the view.
From The Black Fawn by James Arthur Kjelgaard
The animal which had been pawing impatiently settled into bronze immobility at his touch.
From The Trail of Conflict by Emilie Baker Loring
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
