preen
verb (used with object)
(of animals, especially birds) to trim or dress (feathers, fur, etc.) with the beak or tongue.
had been preening
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past perfect progressiveof preen.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.
"Ahead of whom?" said the young Dove, who had been preening his feathers when he should have been listening.
From Among the Farmyard People by F.C. Gordon
